A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clauer family of Germany.
Reg. 6198 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
legStrength and swiftness
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un membre d'aigle de sa., la griffe en bas, empoignant une pierre. Cq. cour. C.: le meuble de l'écu, la griffe en haut.”
Germanyc. 1788
Where the Clauer Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Clauer arms are recorded
The Clauer arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1788.
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.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Clauer 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 Clauer Family in Germany
The family name Clauer has deep roots in the southern German region of Bavaria, where records confirm members of the family were established by the late eighteenth century. The name is generally categorized as a topographic or occupational surname, likely originating from the Middle High German word "klau," which could refer to a specific type of claw-shaped tool or a geographical feature like a narrow mountain pass or ravine. Families during this era often adopted names based on the landscape they inhabited or the specific trade they practiced within their local village. By 1788, the Clauer family was part of the traditional agrarian and craft-based society of the Bavarian countryside, where they lived as settled members of their community. Their history reflects the broader patterns of German migration and social organization during the late 1700s, as families often remained in the same rural districts for generations to maintain their livelihoods and local social ties.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Claus
A shortened form of the Greek name Nikolaos meaning victory of people.
This name
ClauerA patronymic surname derived from the name Claus, indicating a descendant or son of Claus.
also spelled
Clawer
Klauer
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
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv. Kurbayern Hofkammer, Steuer- und Katasterwesen. 1788
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
legStrength and swiftness
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
legStrength and swiftness
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
