A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Edell family of Germany.
Reg. 8338 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
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'arg. à une cigogne, posée sur une colline et tenant en son bec un serpent, le tout au nat. C.: la cigogne, entre deux prob., coupées d'arg. sur azur.”
SaxonySaxony, c. 1765
Where the Edell Arms Were Recorded
Saxony
Map of Germany showing where the Edell arms are recorded
The Edell arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1765.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often 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 Edell 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 Saxony.
Origin & History of the Edell Family in Germany
The family name Edell finds its historical roots in the region of Saxony, where members of the family were documented as early as 1765. During this period, Saxony was a prominent center of trade and agriculture within the Holy Roman Empire, and families like the Edells were often tied to the local land or specific craft guilds. The name itself likely evolved from Old German linguistic roots, potentially relating to terms for nobility or high status, which was common for surnames emerging in Germanic territories during the eighteenth century. As the family lived in this culturally rich area, they were part of a society that placed great value on record-keeping and community standing. Over time, the Edell family moved through the changing political landscapes of Central Europe, carrying their name from these early Saxon origins into broader historical contexts.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Edel
A German term meaning noble or of high social standing.
This name
EdellRefers to a person of noble birth or one who possesses honorable qualities.
also spelled
Edle
Edell
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, Kirchenbücher der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Landeskirche Sachsens (Church records of the Evangelical-Lutheran State Church of Saxony)
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, General-Landes-Steuer-Register (General state tax registers)
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt (1967)
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich (1903)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
