A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dürr family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5149 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
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
Where the Dürr Arms Were Recorded
Franconia
Map of Germany showing where the Dürr arms are recorded
The Dürr 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 Dürr 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 Dürr Family in Germany
The surname Dürr originates from the Middle High German word *dürre*, which translates to dry or lean. During the Middle Ages, this name was typically used as a descriptive nickname to identify a person who was physically thin or perhaps lived on dry, arid land. By the time the family was firmly established in the Franconia region of Germany in 1765, the name had transitioned from a simple nickname into a formal hereditary surname. Families bearing this name were often integrated into the agrarian society of southern Germany, where they worked as farmers, craftsmen, or local tradespeople. Because Franconia was a hub of cultural and economic activity during the eighteenth century, the Dürr family likely benefited from the stability of the local village structures that kept detailed records of residents, occupations, and land ownership. This history reflects the broader German tradition of naming families based on personal characteristics that were observed and recorded by neighbors and local officials over several generations.
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
Where the Dürr Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Dürr arms are recorded
The Dürr 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 Dürr 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 Dürr 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 Dürr Family in Austria
The family name Dürr has roots that stretch deep into the history of the German-speaking regions of Europe, including the mountainous landscapes of Austria. The name itself is descriptive, originating from the Middle High German word "dürre," which means dry or lean. In early society, such names were often given as nicknames to individuals based on their physical appearance or perhaps their personality. By 1772, records confirm that members of the Dürr family were well-established in the Tyrol region of Austria. During this era, families in the Alpine valleys were often tied closely to the land, working as farmers, craftsmen, or local officials. Living in Tyrol meant that the Dürr family navigated a unique cultural crossroads where they were influenced by both Germanic traditions and the rugged lifestyle of the high mountains. These early ancestors helped build the local communities that defined the region long before modern borders were fully established.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
durri
Old High German term meaning dry, barren, or arid.
This name
DürrA descriptive nickname for a thin, lean, or gaunt person.
also spelled
Dur
Dure
Related arms
Bötticher de Rothschildsimilar arms
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
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen, 1971
Staatsarchiv Bamberg, Standesamtliche Unterlagen und Kirchenbücher des Hochstifts Bamberg, 1765
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
knightChivalry and service in arms
