A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Förder family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4635 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
squirrelPatience and foresight in gathering
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“D'or à un écureuil de gu., assis sur une terrasse de sin. C.: l'écureuil. L. d'or et de gu. [V. Bennigsen-Förder.]”
Germanyc. 1790
Where the Förder Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Förder arms are recorded
The Förder arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1790.
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.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Förder 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 Förder Family in Germany
The family name Förder is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of southern Germany, particularly within the region of Bavaria. By the late 18th century, records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this area. The name itself is likely derived from the Middle High German word for a path or a ford, suggesting that the earliest ancestors may have lived near a river crossing or a significant trade route. During the 1790s, Bavaria was undergoing major social and political shifts as it transitioned through the Napoleonic era. Families like the Förders were often tied to the land as farmers or skilled tradespeople who helped sustain the local economy. As the family grew, they became part of the steady social fabric of the Bavarian countryside, contributing to the development of their local villages and towns through their daily labor and community involvement.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Erm. a lion ramp. per fesse az. and gu. fretty or”
SurreySurrey, c. 1620
Where the Förder Arms Were Recorded
Surrey
Map of England showing where the Förder arms are recorded
The Förder arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1620.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Germany when the Förder arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Surrey.
Origin & History of the Förder Family in England
The history of the Förder family in England begins with their documented presence in the county of Surrey by 1620. During the early seventeenth century, Surrey was a region defined by a mix of bustling market towns and expanding agricultural estates, providing a stable environment for families to establish deep roots. The name itself suggests a connection to the German-speaking regions of Europe, likely arriving in England as part of the steady migration of skilled workers and merchants seeking new opportunities during a time of significant social change. As these early family members settled into the local community, they integrated into the parish systems of the era, which served as the primary method for recording births, marriages, and deaths. By participating in local trade and land management, the Förder family became part of the quiet, industrious fabric of English provincial life, helping to shape the cultural landscape of Surrey long before the industrial shifts of later centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Furt
A shallow place in a river where one can cross.
This name
FörderAn occupational name for someone who lived near or worked at a river crossing.
also spelled
Vorder
Ferder
Forderer
Fordar
Fordare
Related arms
Sichtermansimilar arms
van Ceulensimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, General-Landes-Direktion, Akten der Steuerkataster
Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst, Handbuch der bayerischen Geschichte, 1971
Kohl, Wilhelm, Die Geschichte der deutschen Familiennamen, 1985
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
squirrelPatience and foresight in gathering
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
squirrelPatience and foresight in gathering
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
