A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Falkenburg family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0444 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à un faucon ess. d'arg., la tête cont. C.: le faucon.”
GermanyOstfrise, c. 1539
Where the Falkenburg Arms Were Recorded
Ostfrise
Map of Germany showing where the Falkenburg arms are recorded
The Falkenburg arms were recorded in Ostfrise, c. 1539.
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 Falkenburg 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 Falkenburg Family in Germany
The name Falkenburg is rooted in the landscape of medieval Germany, where it functioned as a topographic surname. In the German language, the name combines the words for falcon and castle, suggesting that the earliest family members likely lived near a fortification associated with these birds of prey. By 1539, historical records confirm that the family was well-established in the region of East Frisia. During this period, the family lived in a coastal territory defined by its unique legal traditions and strong ties to maritime trade. As the family grew, they integrated into the local social structure of the Frisian lands, moving from their original ancestral sites to become part of the regional community. This transition from a name describing a specific place to a family identifier reflects the broader movement of people across the German states during the sixteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
columnFortitude and constancy
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“D'or à la croix d'azur, le pal ch. de deux colonnes d'arg., 1 en chef et 1 en p.; ladite croix acc. aux 1 et 4 d'une nacelle de gu., la proue et la poupe sommées chacune de trois plumes de paon au nat., et aux 2 et 3 d'un griffon de sa. Sur le tout échiq. de gu. et d'arg. de quatre tires, chacune de trois points. Trois cq. cour. C.: 1° la nacelle; 2° un vol d'arg., ch. d'une bande échiq. de gu. et d'arg.; 3° deux branches de laurier, passées en saut., devant un bâton de maréchal d'arg., embouté d'or, posé en pal.”
Swedenc. 1693
Where the Falkenburg Arms Were Recorded
Stockholm
Map of Sweden showing where the Falkenburg arms are recorded
The Falkenburg arms were recorded in Sweden, c. 1693.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Stockholm.
Stockholm held the Swedish court and the House of Nobility, where every noble family's arms were entered and kept. Families ennobled for service registered there, which is why so many are recorded around the city.
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 Sweden in this period.
Charles XI of Sweden
Sovereign of the period
Charles XI of Sweden
1660–1697
Reigning in Germany when the Falkenburg arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Sweden
In Sweden, a coat of arms belonged to a noble family as a whole rather than just one individual. These arms were passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants. Younger branches of the family used the same shield without needing to change it. This system ensured that the entire lineage shared the same identity and status under the law.
Granting authority
The Riddarhuset, or House of Nobility, regulated all noble coats of arms in Sweden under royal authority.
How they got arms
Families received their coats of arms through royal grants of nobility which were then officially registered with the House.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Swedish House of Nobility register starting in the year 1626.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Sweden.
Origin & History of the Falkenburg Family in Sweden
The history of the Falkenburg name in Sweden begins with a clear presence in Stockholm by 1693. During this period, the city was a growing hub of trade and administration, and families with this name were often integrated into the professional and merchant classes of the capital. The name itself suggests a connection to a fortress or a stronghold, which was a common way to identify families based on their geographic origins or their roles in local defense. As the family established roots in Stockholm, they became part of the urban fabric of the Swedish Empire. They lived through a time of significant political change and economic expansion. By settling in the capital, these early family members gained access to the social and legal systems that defined life in late seventeenth-century Sweden. Their continued presence in the city records provides a window into how families moved and adapted during this era of Swedish history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Falken-Burg
Falcon and fortified settlement or castle.
This name
FalkenburgA topographic name for someone living near a castle associated with falcons or falconry.
also spelled
Falckenburg
Falkenbourg
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bremmer, Rolf H., An Introduction to Old Frisian: History, Grammar, Reader, Glossary, 2009
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
cross symbolChristian faith and service
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
columnFortitude and constancy
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
