A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cepeda family of Germany.
Reg. 7626 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 la croix fleurdelisée de sin., acc. aux 1, 2 et 3 d'une étoile d'or et au 4 d'un écusson fascé d'arg. et de sa. de quatre pièces. Cq. cour. C.: un lion iss. d'or, tenant une épée d'arg., garnie d'or; entre un vol de sa. L. d'or et de sa.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Cepeda arms are recorded
The Cepeda arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Cepeda 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 Cepeda Family in Germany
The family name Cepeda has deep roots that connect to the complex history of European migration and settlement. While the name is often associated with Spanish origins, historical records confirm that members of the Cepeda family were established in the region of Bavaria by 1765. During the eighteenth century, Bavaria was a hub of movement for families seeking new opportunities in trade and agriculture. Families like the Cepedas often moved across borders to serve in administrative roles or to find better land for their households. As they settled into Bavarian towns, they integrated into the local social structure while maintaining the unique identity of their surname. This movement shows how families adapted to new environments while keeping their heritage alive through generations of residence in Central Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cepa
Latin term referring to an onion or bulbous plant.
This name
CepedaA topographic name for someone who lived near an onion field or a bulb garden.
also spelled
Cepeda
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
