A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Degenhart family of Germany.
Reg. 5574 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au senestrochère, paré d'azur, mouv. du flanc, la main de carn. tenant un poignard, dirigé vers la p. de l'écu. C.: le senestrochère, posé en pal, tenant le poignard en fasce, la pointe à dextre. L. d'or et d'azur.”
GermanyFrancfort, c. 1765
Where the Degenhart Arms Were Recorded
Francfort
Map of Germany showing where the Degenhart arms are recorded
The Degenhart arms were recorded in Francfort, 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 Degenhart 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 Degenhart Family in Germany
The surname Degenhart originates from the German language and is composed of two distinct roots. The first part, degen, refers to a sword or a brave warrior, while the second part, hart, means strong or hardy. Together, the name likely served as a descriptive nickname for a courageous fighter or a soldier of great physical strength. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in Frankfurt, a major center for trade and culture in the Holy Roman Empire. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the Degenhart family were living and working within the city walls during this era. As citizens of Frankfurt, they were part of a vibrant urban society that played a key role in the economic life of the region. This history suggests that the family were likely skilled tradespeople or merchants who contributed to the growth of the city during the Enlightenment period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Degen and Hart
Degen means sword or warrior and hart means brave or strong.
This name
DegenhartA brave warrior or a person who is strong and valiant in battle.
also spelled
Degenhard
Degenharte
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Barthold, Friedrich Wilhelm, Geschichte von Frankfurt am Main, 1850
Institut für Stadtgeschichte Frankfurt am Main, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Frankfurt am Main
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
