Map of Germany showing where the Burghard arms are recorded
The Burghard arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1765.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Burghard arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Silesia.
Origin & History of the Burghard Family in Germany
The name Burghard originates from the Old High German words for fortress and hardy, which together suggest a meaning of a strong protector or a guardian of a castle. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Silesia. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the family were living in this area, which was then part of the Kingdom of Prussia. During this period, Silesia was a hub of agricultural and industrial growth following the Silesian Wars. Families like the Burghards often held roles as landowners, craftsmen, or local administrators who helped build the infrastructure of the region. As the family settled into these communities, they became part of the social and economic fabric of the Prussian frontier, contributing to the development of the towns and villages where they resided.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burg and Hardu
Fortress or castle and brave, hardy, or strong.
This name
BurghardA person who is as strong and protected as a fortress.
also spelled
Burgharddelowenbourg
Burghard
Lowenburg
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preußischer Kulturbesitz, I. Hauptabteilung Repositur 97 (Schlesische Provinzialverwaltung)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
