Map of Germany showing where the Ehlert arms are recorded
The Ehlert arms were recorded in Giessen, 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 Ehlert 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 Ehlert Family in Germany
The surname Ehlert is a Germanic name that evolved from the ancient personal name Eilhard, which combines the roots for "sword" and "hardy" or "brave." Families carrying this name were historically concentrated in northern and central Germany, where they often worked as farmers, craftsmen, or local officials. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Ehlert family were well-established in the city of Giessen. During this period, Giessen was a significant center for trade and academic life due to its university. Living in such a location suggests that early Ehlert ancestors were likely integrated into the urban economy of the Hessian region. As the family grew, they contributed to the local community through their trades and civic participation, helping to anchor the name within the social fabric of the town.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adalhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning noble and hardy or brave.
This name
EhlertA patronymic surname signifying a descendant of someone with a noble and strong character.
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
Stadtarchiv Gießen, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Gießen (Evangelische Kirchenbücher), 1765
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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
