A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duerr family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2764 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
Colours
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)
“Coupé d'or sur un mur crén. d'arg., maçonné de sa.; l'or ch. d'un homme iss. de carn., posé de profil, mouv. du mur, hab. de sa., au rabat d'or, ceint du même, coiffé d'un bonnet albanais du même, retr. et houppé d'or, tenant un bâton de commandement au nat. C.: l'homme, iss.; entre deux prob., coupées alt. de sa. et or, ornées chacune dans son embouchure d'une étoile d'or. L. d'or et de sa.”
FranconiaFranconia, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Duerr arms are recorded
The Duerr arms were recorded in Franconia, c. 1765.
Franconia was a patchwork of small territories in central Germany, full of minor landowners and prosperous market towns. So many separate households held land there that the region produced a great many coats of 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 Duerr 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 Franconia.
Origin & History of the Duerr Family in Germany
The surname Duerr is a descriptive name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe. It is derived from the Middle High German word "dürre," which translates to dry or lean. In the context of the Middle Ages, this name was often used as a nickname to describe a person who was physically thin or perhaps someone who worked on dry, arid land. By the time members of the family were documented in the Franconia region in 1765, the name had become a stable hereditary surname passed down through generations. During this period, Franconia was a diverse area within the Holy Roman Empire, and families like the Duerrs were typically involved in local agriculture or skilled trades. As the family settled into these communities, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the local economy and the development of village life in southern Germany.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à un homme iss., mouv. d'une champagne de sin., hab. d'or, rebr. de sa., au rabat du même, tenant une branche écotée au nat. C.: la branche écotée, en pal. L. d'or et d'azur.”
TyrolTyrol, c. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Duerr arms are recorded
The Duerr arms were recorded in Tyrol, c. 1772.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Duerr Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Duerr arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Tyrol.
Origin & History of the Duerr Family in Austria
The family name Duerr has deep roots in the mountainous landscape of the Austrian Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1772. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German word "dürre," which translates to dry or lean. In the context of the Alpine region, this name likely served as a descriptive nickname for a person with a thin physical build or perhaps someone who lived on arid, unproductive land. Life in the Tyrol during the late eighteenth century was defined by the rugged terrain and the influence of the Habsburg monarchy. Families like the Duerrs were often part of the local agrarian society, working within tight-knit village communities that relied on mountain farming and trade routes through the mountain passes. By settling in this region, the family became part of a long tradition of Tyrolean history, where local identity was closely tied to the harsh but beautiful environment of the Eastern Alps.
Duerr Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
dürre
Old High German term for dry, barren, or arid land.
This name
DuerrA topographic name for someone who lived on dry, infertile, or sandy soil.
also spelled
Dur
Dure
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
Staatsarchiv Bamberg, Standesamtliche Unterlagen und Kirchenbücher der Region Franken
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
knightChivalry and service in arms
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
knightChivalry and service in arms
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
