A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Durner family of Germany.
Reg. 0314 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 coupé de gu. sur azur; à une licorne ramp. d'or, br. sur le coupé; aux 2 et 3 de sa. à un arbre sec et arr. d'or. Cq. cour. C.: une licorne iss. coupée d'or sur gu.; entre un vol d'or, l'aile dextre ch. d'une barre et la sen. d'une bande aux armes du 2, l'arbre suivant la direction de ces pièces héraldiques. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'azur et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Durner Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Durner arms are recorded
The Durner 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 Durner 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 Durner Family in Germany
The surname Durner originates from the southern regions of Germany, with deep roots established in the Bavarian landscape by the mid-eighteenth century. Linguists believe the name likely functions as a topographical identifier, derived from the Middle High German word *turn* or *dorn*, which refers to a tower or a thorny thicket. Families bearing this name were often associated with specific geographic features or lived near prominent stone watchtowers that dotted the Bavarian countryside. By 1765, the Durner family was well-integrated into the local social fabric, likely working as skilled craftsmen or farmers who contributed to the stability of their rural communities. As they moved through the generations, the name remained tied to the distinct cultural identity of the Alpine foothills, reflecting the practical and resilient nature of those who lived in the region during the late Holy Roman Empire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dorn
A thorn or a prickly shrub.
This name
DurnerAn occupational name for someone who lived near a thicket or worked with thorny wood.
also spelled
Durnerr
Durnar
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
