A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ferd family of Germany.
Reg. 9365 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'or à une étoile d'arg.; au 2 reparti, d'un échiq. d'azur et de gu., et d'azur plein. Cq. cour. C.: un cheval iss. d'arg., sommé de deux pl. d'aut., de gu. et d'azur. L. d'or et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Ferd Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Ferd arms are recorded
The Ferd 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 Ferd 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 Ferd Family in Germany
The family name Ferd traces its roots to the historical region of Bavaria, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1765. During this period, the name was likely associated with the agricultural and craft-based society typical of southern Germany. Families in this area often lived in small, tight-knit village communities where they worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople. Because surnames were still evolving in many rural parts of Europe, the name Ferd may have been linked to a specific local landmark or a shortened version of a longer Germanic given name. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Bavarian landscape, navigating the shifting political boundaries and economic changes of the eighteenth century. Their early history reflects the broader experiences of German families who built their lives through hard work and local community involvement during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Friduric
Derived from Germanic elements meaning peace and powerful ruler.
This name
FerdA shortened form of Ferdinand, signifying a bold or adventurous peace-maker.
also spelled
Ferd
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
