A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Centner family of Austria.
Reg. 2019 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'azur à trois branches de chêne, 2 et 1, posées en bandes, feuillées chacune de trois pièces mal-ordonnées et fruitées d'un gland pendant à dextre, au-dessous des feuilles, le tout d'or; à la bord. du même. Cq. cour. C.: trois pl. d'aut., une d'or entre deux d'azur.”
Austriac. 1871
Where the Centner Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Centner arms are recorded
The Centner arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1871.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1871
Granting Authority for the Centner Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Sovereign of the period
Franz Joseph I of Austria
1848–1916
Reigning in Austria when the Centner arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Centner Family in Austria
The surname Centner is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Tyrol region, where records confirm the family was well-established by 1871. The name likely originated as a descriptive occupational term, as the word "Centner" historically refers to a weight measurement of one hundred units, similar to a hundredweight. In the context of medieval trade and local markets, this name may have been assigned to individuals who worked as weighers, merchants, or tax collectors responsible for measuring goods. Living in the mountainous terrain of the Tyrol, families with this name were often integrated into the local agrarian and mercantile economy. Over generations, the name became a fixed identifier for families who maintained a consistent presence in these alpine communities, eventually spreading through the region as trade routes expanded and local populations shifted.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Centenarius
A Latin term referring to a leader of one hundred men.
This name
CentnerAn occupational surname for a local official or administrator responsible for a district of one hundred households.
also spelled
Sentner
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1882
Kuhn, Hans. Die Personennamen im alten Tirol. 1956
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Standesbücher der Pfarreien
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
