A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gerdes family of Germany.
Reg. 9361 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Coupé, d'or à trois trèfles rangés de sin., sur arg. à trois coeurs de gu., 2 et 1; à la fasce d'azur, br. sur le coupé.”
GermanyLubeck, c. 1765
Where the Gerdes Arms Were Recorded
Lubeck
Map of Germany showing where the Gerdes arms are recorded
The Gerdes 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 Gerdes 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 Gerdes Family in Germany
The surname Gerdes is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Gerhard. The name Gerhard itself comes from ancient Germanic roots meaning spear and brave, suggesting that early ancestors were valued for their strength and courage. By the time the family was documented in the city of Lübeck in 1765, the name had become a permanent family identifier passed down through generations. During the eighteenth century, Lübeck was a powerful center of trade and commerce within the Hanseatic League. Families like the Gerdes clan often lived in these bustling urban environments, where they likely worked as merchants, skilled craftspeople, or members of the city’s growing administrative class. As the family established their roots in this historic port city, the name Gerdes became a fixed part of their identity, reflecting both their Germanic linguistic heritage and their integration into the social fabric of northern Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GerdesA patronymic form indicating son of Gerhard, signifying a brave spearman.
also spelled
Gerdess
Gerde
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, Bürgerbücher 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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
