A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Eckardt family of Germany.
Reg. 1096 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: a. parti de gu. et d'arg.; b. d'or au chev. de sa., acc. en p. d'un tronc de chêne au nat., terrassé de sin., et un lévrier courant d'arg., posé entre le chev. et le tronc; celui-ci poussant une branche, br. sur le tout, feuillée de dix pièces et fruitée de trois glands au nat., les feuilles et les glands br. sur le parti en chef. Cq. cour. C.: le tronc terrassé et le chien, entre deux prob. coupées, celle à dextre d'arg. sur gu., celle à sen. de sa. sur or. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
GermanySaxe-Weimar, c. 1765
Where the Eckardt Arms Were Recorded
Saxe-Weimar
Map of Germany showing where the Eckardt arms are recorded
The Eckardt arms were recorded in Saxe-Weimar, c. 1765.
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 Eckardt 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 Eckardt Family in Germany
The name Eckardt is a German surname that evolved from the ancient Germanic given name Eckhard, which combines the words for "edge" or "sword" and "hardy" or "brave." This name was popular throughout the Middle Ages and eventually transformed into a hereditary family name as populations grew and record-keeping became more formal. By 1765, the family was well-established in the region of Saxe-Weimar, which was a historic state in central Germany known for its deep cultural and intellectual traditions. During this period, families in this area were often tied to the land or specific trades, and the name Eckardt likely represented a lineage of craftsmen or farmers who played a steady role in the local community. The presence of the family in Saxe-Weimar suggests they were part of the social fabric of a region that served as a major center for German history and literature during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eckhard
Derived from the Germanic elements eck meaning edge and hard meaning brave.
This name
EckardtA surname signifying a person who is brave or hardy at the edge.
also spelled
Eckard
Eckart
Related arms
Eccardvariant spelling
Eckartvariant spelling
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
Thüringisches Staatsarchiv Weimar, Kirchenbücher der Superintendentur Weimar, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
