A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gellner family of Germany.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à une cuve au”
The Gellner arms were recorded in Rothenburg Bav, 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 Gellner 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 Gellner is rooted in the linguistic traditions of German-speaking regions, where surnames often evolved from specific occupations or geographic origins. Historically, the name is associated with the term "Gellner," which likely served as a descriptor for individuals involved in the production or trade of glass, or perhaps those who worked in metal refining. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Gellner family were established residents of the historic town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. During this era, Rothenburg was a significant center for trade and craftsmanship, providing a stable environment for families to integrate into the local guild systems and civic life. The presence of the family in this region suggests they were part of the middle class of artisans or merchants who helped shape the social and economic fabric of the town during the eighteenth century.
A Middle High German term referring to a person of yellow complexion.
