A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Eckhardt family of Germany.
Reg. 1816 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
triangleThe Trinity, and stability
Colours
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)
“Tranché: au 1 de sa. à un triangle vidé d'or, fleur. aux angles et posé dans le sens du tranché; au 2 tranché-vivré en bande d'or sur sa. Cq. cour. C.: un vol de sa., chaque aile ch. d'un triangle vidé d'or [V. van Harencarspel-Eckhardt.]”
GermanyRatisbonne, c. 1634
Where the Eckhardt Arms Were Recorded
Ratisbonne
Map of Germany showing where the Eckhardt arms are recorded
The Eckhardt arms were recorded in Ratisbonne, c. 1634.
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.
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
1619–1637
Reigning in Germany when the Eckhardt 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 Eckhardt Family in Germany
The surname Eckhardt originates from the Old High German name Eckehard, which combines the words for edge or sword with the word for brave or hardy. This name was common throughout German-speaking lands during the Middle Ages, often serving as a testament to the strength and courage associated with a warrior. By the year 1634, members of the family were well-established in Ratisbonne, which is known today as Regensburg. During this period, the city served as a vital hub for trade and politics within the Holy Roman Empire. Families living in Ratisbonne at that time often navigated the complex social changes brought on by the Thirty Years' War, which significantly impacted the region. As the name spread, it evolved into various spellings, but it consistently maintained its roots as a proud identifier for families living in central Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eckhart
Derived from the Germanic elements for edge or sword and brave.
This name
EckhardtA strong and courageous individual, often associated with a sharp or bold personality.
also spelled
Eckhard
Eckhart
Related arms
Eckhardvariant spelling
Eckhartvariant 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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Stadtarchiv Regensburg. Bürgerbuch der Stadt Regensburg. 1634
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triangleThe Trinity, and stability
triangleThe Trinity, and stability
