A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dockendorf family of Germany.
Reg. 1135 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'arg. à deux pointes de gu., mouv. du flanc dextre; au 2 d'azur plein. Cq. cour. C.: une demi-vol de sa., ch. d'une croix pattée alésée au pied fiché d'or. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
SwabiaSwabia, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Dockendorf arms are recorded
The Dockendorf arms were recorded in Swabia, c. 1765.
Swabia was broken into a great many small territories in southern Germany, and each had its own landowners and its own leading townsmen. That fragmentation produced an unusual number of families with 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 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 Dockendorf 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 Swabia.
Origin & History of the Dockendorf Family in Germany
The family name Dockendorf originates from the historical regions of southwestern Germany, specifically within the cultural landscape of Swabia. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, living as part of a society deeply rooted in agriculture and local craftsmanship. The name itself is locational, likely derived from a small settlement or a specific geographical feature known as a "Dorf" or village. During the 1760s, families in Swabia often lived in tight-knit communities where they contributed to the regional economy through farming or specialized trades. As the family grew, they remained connected to the traditions and social structures of the Swabian countryside, which played a significant role in shaping their identity and daily life during this era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Docken + Dorf
A personal name or nickname combined with the word for village.
This name
DockendorfRefers to a person originating from a village associated with an individual named Docko.
also spelled
Deckendorff
Deckendorfe
Dekendorf
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann. Etymologisches Wörterbuch der Deutschen Familiennamen. 1957
Kohlheim, Rosa and Volker Kohlheim. Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung. 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
