A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Burkhard family of Germany.
Reg. 4165 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à un More iss., posé de profil, hab. d'arg., tort. d'or, tenant de sa main dextre une flèche d'or, la p. en bas, le pied fleurdelisé; le More mouv. d'un mur crén. d'or, maçonné de sa.; à un tertre du dernier émail, mouv. de la p., br. sur le mur. Cq. cour. C.: le More. L. d'or et de gu.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
Where the Burkhard Arms Were Recorded
Nuremberg
Map of Germany showing where the Burkhard arms are recorded
The Burkhard arms were recorded in Nuremberg, c. 1765.
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 Burkhard 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Burkhard Family in Germany
The surname Burkhard originates from the Old High German name Burghard, which combines the words for fortress and hardy or brave. This name was popular throughout Germanic regions during the Middle Ages because it represented strength and protection. By the time the family was established in Nuremberg in 1765, the name had evolved from a given name into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. Nuremberg was a major center for trade and craftsmanship during the eighteenth century, suggesting that the early Burkhards were likely involved in the city's thriving guilds or merchant networks. As citizens of a prominent imperial city, these ancestors were part of a structured urban society that valued record-keeping, which is why their presence is documented in local registers during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burkhard
Derived from the Germanic elements burg meaning fortress and hard meaning brave.
This name
BurkhardA name signifying a brave protector or a strong individual who defends a fortress.
also spelled
Burkhardt
Burkhart
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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
