A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crispin family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0662 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'azur à une aigle de sa., chaque aile ch. d'un demi-cercle treflé d'or. (Ou: l'aigle ch. d'un écusson d'arg.) C.: deux cornes de buffle d'or. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
GermanyLubeck, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Crispin arms are recorded
The Crispin arms were recorded in Lubeck, 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 Crispin 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 Crispin Family in Germany
The name Crispin has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it was often associated with the Latin word for curly hair. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the Hanseatic city of Lübeck. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the Crispin family were active participants in the social and economic life of this prominent port city. During this era, Lübeck served as a major center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Crispins often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. This period of history reflects a time when the family was firmly embedded in the urban culture of Northern Germany, contributing to the development of the region through their professional roles and community connections.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Barry of eight ar. and gu., a bordure engr. sa”
BerksWallingford · Berks, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Crispin arms are recorded
The Crispin arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1620.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with a coat of 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Germany when the Crispin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Berks.
Origin & History of the Crispin Family in England
The surname Crispin has deep roots in England that stretch back to the period following the Norman Conquest. The name itself is derived from the Latin word crispus, which describes someone with curly hair. While the family name was established in various parts of the country during the Middle Ages, historical records confirm that members of the Crispin family were well-settled in the county of Berkshire by 1620. During this era, families in Berkshire were often involved in local agriculture or trade, contributing to the growth of rural communities. The name remained relatively stable over the centuries, reflecting the steady lives of those who carried it through generations of English history. By the early seventeenth century, the Crispin name was already a long-standing part of the social fabric in southern England, marking a transition from medieval origins to the documented family lines of the modern era.
Crispin Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Crispus
A Latin term meaning curly-haired or having curled hair.
This name
CrispinDerived from the Roman cognomen referring to a person with curly hair.
also spelled
Crispint
Crispinne
Krispin
Cryspin
Crispen
Related arms
Crespinevariant spelling
Bromerecorded with Crispin, same area
Kendolphrecorded with Crispin, same area
Morrellrecorded with Crispin, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archive: Archiv der Hansestadt Lübeck, Bürgerbücher der Hansestadt Lübeck
Archive: Archiv der Hansestadt Lübeck, Kirchenbücher der St. Marien-Kirche
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bordureA difference between branches of one family
