Map of Belgium showing where the Eichhorn arms are recorded
The Eichhorn arms were recorded in Luxemb, c. 1737.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Eichhorn arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Eichhorn Family in Belgium
The family name Eichhorn originates from the German language and translates to squirrel, which likely served as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor who was known for being quick or energetic. While the name is deeply rooted in Germanic regions, its presence in the borderlands near Belgium and Luxembourg became established by the early eighteenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were living in Luxembourg by 1737, placing them within a region that experienced frequent movement and cultural exchange between the Holy Roman Empire and the Low Countries. As families migrated across these borders for work or trade, the name Eichhorn became integrated into the local populations of the surrounding areas. Over time, the family adapted to the changing political landscapes of the region, maintaining their identity while becoming part of the diverse history of the Belgian and Luxembourgish border territories.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. au chev. pignonné de cinq degrés d'or, sommé d'une croix treflée iss. du même, ledit chev. acc. de trois glands d'or, tigés et feuillés du même, les queues en haut. Cq. cour. C.: un écureuil au nat., tenant de ses pattes un gland d'or, tigé et feuillé du même, la queue en bas; entre deux prob., d'or et de gu. L. d'or et de gu. S.: deux sauvages de carn., ceints et cour. de lierre, arm. de massues.”
GermanyBreslau, c. 1856
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Map of Germany showing where the Eichhorn arms are recorded
The Eichhorn arms were recorded in Breslau, c. 1856.
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.
Frederick William IV of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William IV of Prussia
1840–1861
Reigning in Belgium when the Eichhorn arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Eichhorn Family in Germany
The surname Eichhorn is a classic example of a German topographic name, which means it was originally derived from the physical landscape or local wildlife. The name translates directly to squirrel, combining the German words for oak and horn. In medieval Germany, people often adopted names based on their surroundings or local landmarks to help distinguish individuals in growing communities. By the time records confirm the presence of the Eichhorn family in Bavaria during the mid-19th century, the name had already been established for generations across various German-speaking regions. Families with this name were typically associated with rural life or forestry, as the squirrel was a common sight in the dense woodlands that covered much of southern Germany. The migration and settlement patterns of these families often followed the expansion of agricultural and trade hubs throughout the Bavarian countryside, reflecting the broader social changes occurring in the region during the 1800s.
Eichhorn Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Eich
Derived from the Middle High German word for an oak tree.
This name
EichhornA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent oak tree or squirrel habitat.
also spelled
Eichorn
Eychhorn
Eichhorne
Eikhorn
Related arms
Aichheuserrecorded with Eichhorn, same area
Braunrecorded with Eichhorn, same area
Braunerecorded with Eichhorn, same area
Hermannrecorded with Eichhorn, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives nationales de Luxembourg, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Archives de l'État à Arlon, Registres paroissiaux de la province de Luxembourg
Heintz, Joseph, Luxemburger Familiennamen, 1985
Maus, Jean-Marie, Recherches sur les noms de famille dans les régions frontalières, 1992
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bullValour and generosity
bullValour and generosity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
