A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geltner 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 Geltner 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 Geltner 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 Geltner originates from the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, where it functioned as a descriptive occupational surname. The root of the name is derived from the Middle High German word *gelt*, which refers to money, payment, or tribute. Historically, this suggests that early ancestors were likely involved in financial administration, tax collection, or the management of local currency. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Geltner family were well-established residents of the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. During this period, the family lived within a community defined by its strict trade guilds and civic governance. As residents of such a prominent city, the Geltners were integrated into the social and economic fabric of the Holy Roman Empire, likely contributing to the local commerce that sustained the region for centuries.
Middle High German term for money, payment, or tribute.
