A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dittmer family of Germany.
Reg. 3159 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de sa. à une ancre de fer avec sa trabe en bois; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à un palmier de sin., posé sur un tertre du même. Cq. cour. C.: un jeune homme iss., hab. d'un parti de sa. et d'arg., au rabat de l'un en l'autre, tenant de sa main dextre l'ancre du 1, renversée, et de sa sen. une palme de sin., courbée au-dessus de sa tête; entre deux prob., coupées alt. d'arg. et de sa. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de sin. [V. Mantey-Dittmer et Thon-Dittmer.]”
Germanyc. 1781
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Map of Germany showing where the Dittmer arms are recorded
The Dittmer arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1781.
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 Dittmer 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 Dittmer Family in Germany
The surname Dittmer originates from the ancient Germanic name Dietmar, which combines the words for people and famous. This name was popular throughout northern and central Europe during the Middle Ages, eventually evolving into a family name as populations grew and record-keeping became more common. By the late 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the Bavarian region. Life for the Dittmer family in 1781 Bavaria was likely defined by the agricultural rhythms of the Holy Roman Empire, where most families lived in small villages and worked the land. As the name spread across different German states, it adapted to local dialects, leading to variations in spelling while maintaining its deep roots in the Germanic linguistic tradition. These early ancestors were part of a broader social shift where surnames became essential for tracking property, taxes, and family lineage within their local communities.
Dittmer Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Dietmar
Derived from the Germanic elements for people and famous.
This name
DittmerA patronymic surname meaning son of the famous person of the people.
also spelled
Dittmerre
Dittmerr
Ditmer
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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kurbayern Hofkammer: Steuer- und Katasterwesen, 1781
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
