A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fend family of Germany.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De gu. à une sirène de carn., à deux queues d'or qu'elle tient de ses mains, hab. et cour. d'or. C.: la sirène.”
The Fend arms were recorded in Augsbourg, 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.
Reigning in Germany when the Fend arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Fend traces its roots to the German-speaking regions of Europe, with a significant historical presence established in the city of Augsburg by the mid-eighteenth century. During the year 1765, records confirm that members of the Fend family were active participants in the local community of this influential Bavarian trade hub. The name itself is often linked to the Middle High German word "fende," which historically referred to a person who worked as a soldier or a foot soldier. Families carrying this name were typically part of the rising middle class, often working as skilled craftsmen or merchants who helped shape the economic life of their cities. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social fabric of Augsburg, contributing to the development of the region through their professional trades and civic involvement.
Middle High German term for a boundary, border, or end point.
