A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Essen family of Germany.
Reg. 2248 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 sa. à un cheval d'arg., courant devant un pin de sin., le tout soutenu d'une terrasse du même: au chef d'or, ch. d'une aigle ép. naiss. de sa., chaque tète sommée d'une couronne impériale, l'aigle surm. d'une troisième couronne impériale et ch. sur sa poitrine d'un écusson triangulaire de gu., bordé d'or.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Essen Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Essen arms are recorded
The Essen 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 Essen 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 Essen Family in Germany
The family name Essen is primarily recognized as a topographic surname, which means it was originally used to identify people based on where they lived. In the German language, the name is closely linked to the Old High German word "ezzen," which relates to the act of eating or refers to fertile land used for food production. By the time the family was firmly established in the Bavarian region in 1765, the name likely served as a way to distinguish individuals who resided near a specific settlement or a productive agricultural site. During the eighteenth century, Bavaria was a hub of social and economic transition, and families often adopted these locational names to help local authorities keep track of residents for tax and census purposes. As the family grew, the name became a permanent marker of their heritage and their long-standing connection to the Bavarian landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ess
A Middle High German term referring to a forge or hearth.
This name
EssenA topographic name for someone who lived near a forge or a blacksmith's workshop.
also spelled
Esen
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
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kurbayern Hofkammer: Steuer- und Katasterwesen, 1765
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
