A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Echter family of Germany.
Reg. 6915 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à la bande d'arg., ch. de trois annelets du champ. Cq. cour. C.: deux prob. aux armes de l'écu”
FranconiaFranconia, c. 1765
Where the Echter Arms Were Recorded
Franconia
Map of Germany showing where the Echter arms are recorded
The Echter 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 Echter 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 Echter Family in Germany
The family name Echter originates from the historical region of Franconia, a territory known for its deep roots in the heart of Germany. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Echter family were firmly established within this area, living as part of a society defined by agriculture and local craft guilds. The name itself is thought to be derived from Middle High German terms related to the concept of being genuine or authentic, suggesting that early ancestors may have been recognized by their neighbors for their reliability or honest dealings in trade. As residents of Franconia, these early family members likely navigated the complex social structures of the eighteenth century, which included living under the influence of local lords and the shifting political boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire. Their presence in the region during this time reflects a long history of settlement in the rolling hills and river valleys that characterize the Franconian landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
echt
German adjective meaning genuine, authentic, or true.
This name
EchterA descriptor for a person considered to be sincere, honest, or genuine.
also spelled
Echter
Mespelbrunn
Echter-Mespelbrunn
Echter de Mespelbrun
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv), General-Landes-Direktion, Akten der Kanzlei
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung, 1971
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1933
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
