A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fedder family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0323 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
branchPeace, and new growth
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Parti, d'azur à un tronc de laurier au nat. poussant à dextre une branche de sin., et d'arg. au pélican dans son aire, de sa.; le tout soutenu d'une terrasse de sin., br. sur le parti. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° un homme iss. et cont., hab. d'azur, coiffé d'un bonnet du même, ceint de sa., tenant de sa main sen. un rameau de laurier de sin.; l. d'arg. et d'azur; 2° le pélican dans son aire; l. d'arg. et de sa.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1797
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Map of Germany showing where the Fedder arms are recorded
The Fedder arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1797.
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 II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
1792–1806
Reigning in Germany when the Fedder 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Fedder Family in Germany
The surname Fedder is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of southern Germany, particularly within the region of Bavaria. By the late 18th century, families bearing this name were well-established in the Bavarian countryside, where they likely lived as agrarian workers or skilled tradespeople. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older German terms related to feathers or quills, which suggests that early ancestors may have been involved in occupations like fletching, writing, or the processing of down for bedding. Life in Bavaria during the 1790s was defined by the transition from the old feudal systems to a more modern administrative state, and families like the Fedders were part of the backbone of these local communities. As they moved through the generations in this region, they contributed to the local culture and economy, leaving behind a legacy that is tied to the traditional crafts and rural development of the German states.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
knightChivalry and service in arms
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ec.: au 1 de gu. au chev. d'arg.; au 2 d'azur à une grue d'arg. avec sa vigilance, sur une terrasse de sin.; au 3 d'or à un vieillard iss., mouv. du bas, hab. de sa., rebr. d'or, au rabat du même, coiffé d'un chapeau de sa., retr. d'or, tenant de sa main sen. un compas ouvert, les pointes en haut, et de sa dextre, appuyée sur sa hanche, un rouleau de papier; au 4 d'or à une rivière au nat., en fasce ondée. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1º un pelican d'arg., entre un vol de gu., chaque aile ch. d'un chev. d'arg.; 1. d'arg. et de gu.; 2º l'homme du 3 iss., sauf qu'il tient le compas de sa main dextre et le rouleau de papier de sa sen.; l. d'or et d'azur.”
TyrolTyrol, c. 1883
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Map of Austria showing where the Fedder arms are recorded
The Fedder arms were recorded in Tyrol, c. 1883.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1883
Granting Authority for the Fedder Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Sovereign of the period
Franz Joseph I of Austria
1848–1916
Reigning in Germany when the Fedder arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Tyrol.
Origin & History of the Fedder Family in Austria
The surname Fedder has deep roots in the mountainous landscape of the Austrian Tyrol, where the family established a presence by at least 1883. The name likely originated as a descriptive occupational term, as the word "Feder" in German refers to a feather or a quill. In the rural communities of the Alpine region, such names were often assigned to individuals based on their trade, such as a scribe, a merchant who dealt in down feathers, or someone who worked with poultry. Life in the Tyrol during the late 19th century was defined by rugged agriculture and small-scale trade, and families like the Fedders were often integrated into the local village structures that supported the regional economy. As these families moved through the valleys, they carried their name as a marker of their identity and their historical role within the community. Over time, the spelling evolved to reflect local dialects, eventually solidifying into the version recognized today as these families contributed to the cultural and social fabric of the Austrian Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Friedrich
Derived from Germanic elements meaning peaceful ruler.
This name
FedderA patronymic surname indicating a descendant of someone named Frederick.
also spelled
Fedar
Fader
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv), Kurbayern Hofkammer Buchhaltung
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
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
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
branchPeace, and new growth
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
branchPeace, and new growth
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
knightChivalry and service in arms
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
