A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coester family of Germany.
Reg. 4047 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“d'or sur arg.; au chev. d'azur, br. sur la division; l'or ch. de trois étoiles mal-ordonnées d'arg., l'arg. ch. d'un arbre terrassé de sin.”
GermanyFrancfort s, c. 1765
Where the Coester Arms Were Recorded
Francfort s
Map of Germany showing where the Coester arms are recorded
The Coester arms were recorded in Francfort s, c. 1765.
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 Coester 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 Coester Family in Germany
The surname Coester is rooted in the linguistic traditions of the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it likely originated as a descriptive name related to a specific trade or geographic location. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Frankfurt, as evidenced by records dating back to 1765. During this era, Frankfurt served as a vital hub for commerce and trade, attracting families who were often involved in skilled crafts or merchant activities. Members of the Coester family living in the city at this time were part of a growing urban middle class that helped shape the social and economic landscape of the region. As the family expanded, they carried their name through generations, reflecting the broader migration patterns and historical shifts that defined central Germany during the late 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Koster
Derived from the Latin word custor meaning a guardian or sexton.
This name
CoesterAn occupational surname for a church official responsible for maintaining the building.
also spelled
Coster
Koester
Related arms
Zachsimilar arms
Costervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Institut für Stadtgeschichte Frankfurt, Personenstandsunterlagen und Meldeunterlagen der Stadt Frankfurt am Main, 1765
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
