A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gayman family of Germany.
Reg. 0412 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé-enclavé d'une seule pièce d'arg. sur sa., l'arg. ch. d'une feuille de vigne d'or, la tige en bas, mouv. du sa. Cq. cour. C.: deux prob. coupées-enclavées d'une seule pièce d'arg. sur sa., ornées chacune à l'ext. de trois feuilles de tilleul d'or.”
Germanyc. 1725
Where the Gayman Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Gayman arms are recorded
The Gayman arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1725.
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.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Germany when the Gayman 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 Gayman Family in Germany
The family name Gayman finds its historical roots in the region of Bavaria, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1725. The name likely originated as a descriptive term or a nickname, as many surnames from this era were derived from personal traits or local occupations. In the German language, the root of the name is often associated with terms relating to a cheerful or lively disposition. During the early eighteenth century, families in this part of Germany were often tied to the land through agriculture or specialized trade crafts. As these individuals moved through the Bavarian countryside, their name became a permanent marker of their lineage and community standing. Over time, the spelling evolved to reflect local dialects and the transition of the family through different administrative districts. This history highlights how a simple name served as a vital link between the personal identity of early ancestors and the broader social structure of the Holy Roman Empire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gau
A district, region, or administrative territory in medieval Germany.
This name
GaymanRefers to a person who lived in or originated from a specific district.
also spelled
Geyman
Gayman
Gyman
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
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
