Map of Germany showing where the Demeritt arms are recorded
The Demeritt 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 Demeritt 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 Demeritt Family in Germany
The family name Demeritt carries a rich history that traces back to the heart of Bavaria during the mid-eighteenth century. By 1765, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established within the region, living as part of the vibrant agricultural and social fabric of southern Germany. The name likely evolved from local linguistic roots, reflecting the specific dialects spoken in the Bavarian countryside during that era. As these early ancestors navigated the changing landscapes of the Holy Roman Empire, they were part of a community defined by deep-seated traditions and a strong connection to their ancestral lands. Over time, the family name traveled beyond these original borders, carried by individuals who sought new opportunities while maintaining the heritage established in their Bavarian homeland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
de Merite
Derived from the Old French term for merit or worthiness.
This name
DemerittAn occupational or descriptive name indicating a person of recognized merit or high standing.
also spelled
Demrit
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
