A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Engelberg family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3342 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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 lion d'or. C.: un mitre épiscopal de gu., orné d'un bouton d'or, accosté de deux épées.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Engelberg Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Engelberg arms are recorded
The Engelberg arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Engelberg 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 Engelberg Family in Germany
The name Engelberg is a topographic surname, which means it was originally derived from a specific place in the landscape. In German, the name translates to Angel Mountain, suggesting that the earliest members of the family likely lived near a hill or a mountain associated with local folklore or religious significance. By the mid-eighteenth century, historical records confirm that the family was well-established in the region of Bavaria. During this period, Bavaria was a collection of rural communities where families were often tied to the land through farming or local trades. Because the name is linked to a geographic feature, it is possible that different branches of the family adopted the name independently after living near similarly named landmarks across the German-speaking territories. The presence of the family in 1765 indicates they were part of the stable, agrarian society that defined much of southern Germany before the industrial changes of the nineteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé-nébulé d'arg. sur sa. C.: deux bras, parés alt. d'un coupé-nébulé d'arg. et de sa., les mains de carn. appaumées.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Engelberg Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Engelberg arms are recorded
The Engelberg arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Engelberg Family in Switzerland
The family name Engelberg is deeply rooted in the geography of the Swiss Alps, as it originates from the German words for angel and mountain. While the name is famously associated with the town and monastery of Engelberg in the canton of Obwalden, families bearing this name eventually spread across various Swiss regions. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Engelberg family were well-established in the city of Bern. During this era, Bern was a powerful city-state, and families living there were often involved in the complex social and political structures of the Old Swiss Confederacy. These early ancestors likely navigated the transition from rural alpine life to the urban environment of Bern, contributing to the local economy and community life as the region moved toward the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Engel and Berg
Angel and mountain or hill.
This name
EngelbergRefers to a person living near a mountain associated with angels or a specific hill named Angel.
also spelled
Engelbergh
Engelberk
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
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kurbayern Hofkammer: Steuer- und Katasterwesen, 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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
