A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gerber family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7428 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
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'or à un jeune homme, iss. de la p., posé de face, hab. de sin. au rabat d'arg., tenant de ses mains, levées au-dessus de sa tête, une pomme de gu., la queue en haut. C.: le jeune homme, iss. L. d'or et de sin.”
GermanyLubeck, c. 1765
Where the Gerber Arms Were Recorded
Lubeck
Map of Germany showing where the Gerber arms are recorded
The Gerber arms were recorded in Lubeck, 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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Gerber 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 Gerber Family in Germany
The surname Gerber originates from the Middle High German word *gerwer*, which historically identified a person who worked as a tanner. In the medieval period, tanning was a vital trade because it involved turning animal hides into leather for shoes, belts, and saddles. Because this process required large amounts of water and produced strong odors, tanners often lived and worked in specific districts near rivers on the outskirts of German towns. By the time members of the family were documented in Lübeck in 1765, the name had long been established as a professional descriptor. As the family settled into the urban environment of Lübeck, they likely participated in the city’s robust merchant culture, which was defined by its role in the Hanseatic League. Over several generations, the name transitioned from a simple job title to a permanent family identifier that linked the household to the essential craft of leather production.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Tiercé en fasce: au 1 d'or à l'aigle de gu.; au 2 d'arg. au lion léopardé de gu.; au 3 d'azur à une fleur-de-lis d'or. C.: un lion iss. de gu.”
SwitzerlandBerne, c. 1745
Where the Gerber Arms Were Recorded
Berne
Map of Switzerland showing where the Gerber arms are recorded
The Gerber arms were recorded in Berne, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Gerber Family in Switzerland
The surname Gerber is deeply rooted in the history of the Swiss cantons, where it functioned as an occupational name for those who worked as tanners. In the German language, the word *Gerber* refers to a person who processes animal hides into leather. Because leather was an essential material for clothing, tools, and military equipment, these families often held a stable and respected position within their local communities. By the time records place members of the family in Berne in 1745, the name had already been established for generations across the Swiss plateau. These early families were often tied to specific regions through citizenship rights known as *Heimatort*, which linked them to their ancestral villages. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic life of the Swiss Confederation, contributing to the agricultural and craft-based traditions that defined life in the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerber
Derived from the Middle High German word for a tanner of hides.
This name
GerberAn occupational surname for someone who processed animal skins into leather.
also spelled
Gerberr
Gerbere
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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Archiv der Hansestadt Lübeck, Einwohnerverzeichnisse und Bürgerrollen der Stadt Lübeck
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
knightChivalry and service in arms
knightChivalry and service in arms
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
