A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geren family of Germany.
Reg. 0803 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au chev. ployé d'or, acc. en p. d'une étoile d'arg. C.: une étoile d'arg. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
HesseHesse, c. 1765
Where the Geren Arms Were Recorded
Hesse
Map of Germany showing where the Geren arms are recorded
The Geren arms were recorded in Hesse, c. 1765.
Hesse was central German country, divided among a large number of small landowners and prosperous towns. So many separate households held ground there that the region produced an unusual number of coats of arms.
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 Geren 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 Hesse.
Origin & History of the Geren Family in Germany
The family name Geren has deep roots in the historical region of Hesse, Germany, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1765. During the eighteenth century, Hesse was a collection of territories known for its agricultural traditions and its role in European military history. Families like the Gerens often lived in small rural villages where their surname likely developed from local nicknames or descriptions of their trade. Life in Hesse during this period was shaped by the strict social structures of the Holy Roman Empire, and many families remained in the same districts for generations. As the region experienced economic changes and political shifts, some members of the family eventually moved to find new opportunities, carrying the name across borders and into different cultures. This migration helped the name evolve as it was recorded by officials in new languages and regions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ger
An ancient Germanic element meaning spear or lance.
This name
GerenA habitational name for someone from the town of Geren or a derivative of spear-warrior.
also spelled
Gehrene
Gehrenn
Gehr
Geren
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Hessisches Landesarchiv, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Kirchengemeinden in Hessen, 1765
Knetsch, Carl, Die hessische Landesgeschichte, 1928
Demandt, Karl E., Geschichte des Landes Hessen, 1972
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
