A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Effner family of Germany.
Reg. 6457 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“D'arg. à un cèdre de sin., posé sur un tertre du même; le champ chapé d'azur, à deux fleurs-de-lis d'or. C.: le cèdre, entre deux prob. coupées alt. d'or et d'azur. L. conformes aux émaux des prob.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1625
Where the Effner Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Effner arms are recorded
The Effner arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1625.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit 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.
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
1619–1637
Reigning in Germany when the Effner 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Effner Family in Germany
The Effner family name has deep roots in the historical landscape of Bavaria, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the region as early as 1625. During the seventeenth century, the name became closely associated with the skilled craftsmanship and architectural development of southern Germany. Many early bearers of the name were involved in the building trades, serving as master builders and court architects who helped shape the iconic look of Bavarian towns and palaces. This professional legacy allowed the family to integrate into the local social fabric, moving from regional artisans to influential figures within the administrative and artistic circles of the Bavarian electorate. Their presence in the area during this period reflects the broader movement of families who contributed to the cultural and structural growth of the Holy Roman Empire through dedicated service and specialized labor.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Effe
A diminutive form of the Germanic name Eberhard meaning wild boar.
This name
EffnerA patronymic or occupational surname referring to a descendant of someone named Eberhard.
also spelled
Efner
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bauer, Hermann and Anna Bauer, Johann Baptist Effner: Ein bayerischer Hofbaumeister des 18. Jahrhunderts, 1976
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Geheimes Hausarchiv, Korrespondenz der Kurfürsten von Bayern, 1625–1750
Hitchcock, Henry-Russell, Rococo Architecture in Southern Germany, 1968
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
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
