A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Caspers family of Germany.
Reg. 8879 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
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)
“D'or à une cigogne au nat. C.: la cigogne, entre deux prob. d'or. Brl et l. d'or et d'azur.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1571
Where the Caspers Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Caspers arms are recorded
The Caspers arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1571.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
1564–1576
Reigning in Germany when the Caspers 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Caspers Family in Germany
The surname Caspers is a patronymic name, which means it was originally derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. It stems from the name Casper, a variation of Gaspar, which is traditionally associated with one of the three wise men from biblical accounts. By the year 1571, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the region of Bavaria. During this period, the name was often used to identify individuals who lived in small agricultural communities or trade-focused towns. As the family grew, members likely moved through the German-speaking lands to pursue opportunities in craftsmanship or farming. The name evolved slightly in spelling over the centuries as it moved across different local dialects, but it remained a consistent identifier for families who traced their roots back to these early Bavarian ancestors.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kaspar
Persian origin meaning treasurer or keeper of the treasure.
This name
CaspersA patronymic surname derived from the given name meaning treasurer.
also spelled
Kaspers
Kasper
Casper
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
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
