Map of Germany showing where the Gerena arms are recorded
The Gerena 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 Gerena 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 Gerena Family in Germany
The family name Gerena traces its roots to the central German region of Hesse, where records confirm the presence of family members by the year 1765. During this period, Hesse was a collection of territories known for a strong tradition of agriculture and skilled craftsmanship. Families living in this area often adopted surnames that reflected their local identity or their specific occupation within the village community. The name likely evolved as a localized variation of German naming conventions, which were frequently influenced by the dialects spoken in the Hessian highlands. As the family established itself in these rural communities, they participated in the daily life of the region, contributing to the local economy and social structure long before the name spread to other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerhard
Derived from the Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GerenaA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person bearing the name Gerhard.
also spelled
Gehrene
Gehrenn
Gehr
Geren
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Hessisches Staatsarchiv Marburg, Kirchenbücher der Pfarrei (Church records of the parish), 1765
Knappe, Rudolf, Dörfliches Leben in Hessen (Village Life in Hesse), 1985
Kretschmer, Ingrid, Historische Namensforschung in Deutschland (Historical Name Research in Germany), 1992
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
