A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ehinger family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 5654 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“coupé: a. de gu. à l'aigle d'or; b. d'azur au lion d'or. Trois cq. cour. C.: 1° une aigle d'or; 2° le cygne du 2, démembré, percé d'un joug d'or en fasce, les bouts sommés chacun d'un croc d'arg., emm. d'or, lesdits crocs adossés et sommés chacun d'un panache de plumes de coq de sa.; 3° un lion iss. d'or. L.: d'or et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1548
Where the Ehinger Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Ehinger arms are recorded
The Ehinger arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1548.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
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.
Charles V
Sovereign of the period
Charles V
1519–1556
Reigning in Germany when the Ehinger 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 Ehinger Family in Germany
The Ehinger family name originated in the southern regions of Germany, specifically within the historical landscape of Bavaria. By the mid-sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the region, with records confirming their residency in Bavaria as early as 1548. The name itself is classified as a topographic surname, which means it was likely derived from the geographic location where the earliest ancestors lived. In the German language, the suffix "-er" typically denotes a person who originates from a specific place, suggesting that the first Ehingers were likely associated with a town or settlement named Ehingen. As the family grew during the late Renaissance period, they integrated into the local social and economic structures of southern Germany. This era was a time of significant transition, and the family name became a permanent marker of their regional identity as they navigated the complexities of German society throughout the following centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“De sin. à un licorne ramp. d'arg. C.: la licorne, iss.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Ehinger Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Ehinger arms are recorded
The Ehinger arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Ehinger Family in Switzerland
The Ehinger family has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, with a documented presence in the city of Basel, Switzerland, by the year 1745. The name itself is topographical, originating from the town of Ehingen, which suggests that the family’s ancestors likely migrated from this area to settle in the Swiss Confederation. During the eighteenth century, Basel served as a major hub for trade and intellectual exchange, providing a stable environment for families to establish themselves as citizens. As the Ehinger family integrated into the local community, they became part of the social fabric of the city, participating in the professional and civic life that defined Basel during the Enlightenment. While the name remains tied to its geographic origins, its history in Switzerland reflects the broader movement of families seeking new opportunities across the borders of the Holy Roman Empire and the Swiss cantons.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à deux crocs d'arg., emm. d'or, passés en saut. (Ehinger); aux 2 et 3 d'or à un cygne d'arg., bq. et m. de gu. C.: une tête et col de cygne d'arg., passée dans un joug d'or en fasce. L.: d'or et de gu.”
AlsaceBâle · Alsace, c. 1663
Where the Ehinger Arms Were Recorded
Alsace
Map of France showing where the Ehinger arms are recorded
The Ehinger arms were recorded in Alsace, c. 1663.
Alsace lay between France and the German lands and belonged to both at different times. Its families held small estates and served whichever side ruled, and men who served in arms carried arms of their own.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Germany when the Ehinger arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Alsace.
Origin & History of the Ehinger Family in France
The Ehinger family name is deeply rooted in the historical region of Alsace, a territory that has shifted between French and German cultural influence for centuries. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Ehinger family were already established in this area, living through a period of significant transition as Alsace became increasingly integrated into the Kingdom of France. The name itself is of Germanic origin, likely derived from a place name describing people who lived near a specific river or meadow. As these families settled into French life, they navigated the complexities of local administration and the changing political landscape of the seventeenth century. Their presence in the region during this time reflects the broader movement of families who maintained their traditional identity while adapting to the laws and social structures of the French state. Through their daily lives and local record-keeping, the Ehinger family contributed to the rich cultural tapestry that defines the history of the Alsatian people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ehingen
A place name derived from the Old High German name Eho.
This name
EhingerRefers to a person who originated from the town of Ehingen in Germany.
also spelled
Ahinger
Related arms
Flachslandrecorded with Ehinger, same area
Hattstattrecorded with Ehinger, same area
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
