Map of Germany showing where the Buttel arms are recorded
The Buttel arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought arms.
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 Buttel 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 Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Buttel Family in Germany
The name Buttel is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Westphalia, a region in northwestern Germany known for its dense forests and rich agricultural traditions. By the year 1765, members of the family were already established as active participants in the local community, likely working as farmers or skilled tradespeople within the rigid social structures of the time. The name itself is thought to be topographical, potentially derived from the Middle Low German word "buttel," which often referred to a small settlement, a dwelling, or a specific plot of land. This suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely identified by the specific place where they lived or worked. As the family grew, they remained closely tied to the Westphalian countryside, navigating the challenges of the eighteenth century while maintaining their connection to the land that gave them their name.
Buttel Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Büttel
A medieval official or messenger responsible for serving legal summons.
This name
ButtelOccupational surname referring to a bailiff, beadle, or minor public official in Germanic regions.
also spelled
Butel
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
Heimatverein für den Kreis Steinfurt, Westfälische Zeitschrift: Zeitschrift für vaterländische Geschichte und Altertumskunde, 1965
Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen und katholischen Kirchengemeinden in Westfalen, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fireZeal and purification
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fireZeal and purification
