A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Funke family of Germany.
Reg. 9057 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au lion d'or, tenant une épée flamboyante d'arg., garnie d'or. Cq. cour. C.: une étoile d'arg., posée au centre d'une couronne de myrthe; entre un vol, coupé alt. d'or et d'azur. L. d'or et d'azur. D.: SUSTINERE.”
SaxonySaxony, c. 1872
Where the Funke Arms Were Recorded
Saxony
Map of Germany showing where the Funke arms are recorded
The Funke arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1872.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often 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.
Wilhelm I
Sovereign of the period
Wilhelm I
1861–1888
Reigning in Germany when the Funke arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Saxony.
Origin & History of the Funke Family in Germany
The surname Funke originates from the Middle High German word *funke*, which translates to spark. Historically, this name was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person with a fiery personality or perhaps someone who worked with fire, such as a blacksmith. By the mid-19th century, the family had established a strong presence in the region of Saxony. During this period, Saxony was a major center for industrial growth and cultural development within the newly formed German Empire. Families living in this area were often deeply connected to the local trades and the shifting social landscape of the 1870s. As the name spread throughout the German-speaking lands, it became a common identifier for families who were often involved in skilled labor and community craftsmanship.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Funke
Derived from the Middle High German word for a spark or fire.
This name
FunkeAn occupational name for a blacksmith or a nickname for a lively person.
also spelled
Funk
Funkee
Funkes
Funka
Related arms
Guillermin de Nuzièressimilar arms
Funkvariant spelling
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
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv. Bestand 10001: Ältere Akten der Landesregierung. 1872
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
