A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Felber family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3739 · 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
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un arbre terrassé de sin. C.: un demi-vol, aux armes de l'écu.”
GermanyBiberach Wurt, c. 1765
Where the Felber Arms Were Recorded
Biberach
Map of Germany showing where the Felber arms are recorded
The Felber arms were recorded in Biberach Wurt, c. 1765.
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 Felber 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 Felber Family in Germany
The surname Felber is a topographic name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe. It is derived from the Middle High German word *felwe*, which refers to the willow tree. Historically, this name was given to families who lived near a prominent grove of willow trees or a stream lined with them. By the time members of the Felber family were recorded in Biberach in 1765, the name had already been established for generations as a way to identify people by their local landscape. Because willow trees were essential for basket weaving and construction in rural German villages, the name likely emerged among craftsmen or farmers who worked closely with the natural resources of their immediate environment. This connection to the land suggests that the early Felbers were deeply rooted in the agricultural life of their community, serving as a link between the people and the specific geography of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un peuplier de sin., sur un tertre du même; le champ chapé-ployé d'azur, à deux roses d'arg. C.: un peuplier de sin. L.: d'arg. et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Felber Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Felber arms are recorded
The Felber arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Felber Family in Switzerland
The surname Felber originates from the German word for the willow tree, which suggests that the earliest families likely lived near these common waterside plants. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Bâle, where records confirm their residence by 1745. During this period, Bâle was a thriving center of trade and intellectual exchange, and families like the Felbers were often integrated into the local guild systems or agricultural networks that defined Swiss life. As the name spread throughout the region, it became associated with the practical skills of craftsmen and farmers who relied on the natural resources of the Rhine river valley. This history reflects the broader movement of families across the Swiss cantons, where surnames often served as a marker of one’s connection to the local landscape and the specific trade practiced by their ancestors.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Felbe
Old High German term for a willow tree.
This name
FelberAn occupational or topographic name for someone who lived near a willow tree.
also spelled
Felberr
Felbere
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
Staatsarchiv Ludwigsburg, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Kirchengemeinde Biberach, 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
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
