A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dittmar family of Germany.
Reg. 3437 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 d'azur au lion d'or, arm. et lamp. de gu.; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à deux barres de gu.; au 4 d'azur au cygne d'arg., le vol levé. L'écu bordé d'or. Cq. cour. C.: cinq pl. d'aut : de gu., d'arg., d'azur, d'arg. et de gu. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1786
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Map of Germany showing where the Dittmar arms are recorded
The Dittmar arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1786.
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 Dittmar 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 Dittmar Family in Germany
The surname Dittmar has deep roots in the Germanic regions of Europe, specifically within the historic lands of Bavaria. The name is derived from the Old High German elements "diet," meaning people or nation, and "mari," meaning famous or illustrious. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were likely recognized as prominent or well-known figures within their local communities. By the late 18th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the Bavarian countryside. During this era, life for these families was often centered around agrarian traditions and local trade, as the region experienced significant social and economic shifts. As the family grew, they became part of the fabric of village life, contributing to the cultural and historical development of Southern Germany through their participation in local crafts and regional governance.
Dittmar Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Dietmar
Derived from the Germanic elements for people and famous.
This name
DittmarA name signifying a person who is famous among their people.
also spelled
Dittmarr
Dittmarre
Ditmar
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
