A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ginther family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 0288 · Danish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d’arg. au lion d’azur, cour. d’or, ramp. contre un rocher à dextre; aux 2 et 3 coupé-émanché de gu. et d’or. Cq. cour. C.: le lion, iss.”
Denmarkc. 1638
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Map of Denmark showing where the Ginther arms are recorded
The Ginther arms were recorded in Denmark, c. 1638.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Sjaælland.
Zealand held the Danish court, the crown's offices and Copenhagen itself. Families who served the king kept estates within reach of it, and royal service was the ordinary route to a coat 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 Denmark in this period.
Christian IV of Denmark
Sovereign of the period
Christian IV of Denmark
1588–1648
Reigning in Denmark when the Ginther arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Denmark
Danish heraldry during this period was closely tied to noble status and royal favor rather than being open to all citizens. Arms were typically granted by the monarch to individuals, and these symbols were then shared by all members of the noble house. If a family line died out, the right to use those specific arms ended with them.
Granting authority
The Danish royal chancery held the power to issue and regulate official coats of arms for the kingdom.
How they got arms
Families usually received their arms through a formal royal grant that confirmed their noble status and rights.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Danish Royal Chancery records starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Denmark.
Origin & History of the Ginther Family in Denmark
The Ginther name has roots in Denmark that stretch back to at least the early seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were living on the island of Sjælland by 1638. During this period, Denmark was undergoing significant social changes as the monarchy consolidated power and the population began to recover from the pressures of the Thirty Years' War. Families like the Ginthers often lived in rural or semi-urban settings where they participated in the local agricultural economy or served in administrative roles for the crown. Because surnames were still becoming standardized in Denmark at this time, the presence of the Ginther name in official documents suggests that the family held a stable position within their community. Over the following generations, these early settlers helped shape the local culture of the region as they navigated the shifting religious and political landscape of the Danish kingdom.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d’or à la demi-aigle de sa., cour. d’or, mouv. du parti; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à deux bandes d’arg. Cq. cour. C.: un vol, l’aile dextre coupée: a. barré d’or et de sa. de quatre pièces; b. barré d’arg. et de gu. de quatre pièces; l’aile sen. coupée: a. bandé de gu. et d’arg. de quatre pièces; b. bandé d’or et de sa. de quatre pièces. L.: à dextre d’or et de sa., à sen. d’arg. et de gu.”
Francec. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Ginther arms are recorded
The Ginther arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Denmark when the Ginther arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Ginther Family in France
The history of the Ginther name in France is deeply tied to the regional identity of Bretagne during the seventeenth century. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this rugged coastal province. At that time, Bretagne functioned as a distinct territory with its own unique customs and social structures. Families living in this region were often shaped by the local maritime economy and the strong influence of rural parish life. Because the name appears in administrative documents from this period, it suggests that the family was integrated into the local community and participated in the legal and religious life of their village. While the name may have roots that stretch into neighboring Germanic regions, its presence in Bretagne highlights how families moved and settled across European borders to build new lives in changing social landscapes.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ec.: au 1 d'or à la bande de sa., ch. de trois étoiles du champ; au 2 d'arg. à un demi-vol de sa.; au 3 d'arg. à trois fasces de gu.; au 4 d'or à une fleur-de-lis de gu. Cq. cour. C.: un demi-vol de sa. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
SaxonySaxony, c. 1589
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Map of Germany showing where the Ginther arms are recorded
The Ginther arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1589.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often in the registers.
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.
Emperor Rudolf II
Sovereign of the period
Emperor Rudolf II
1576–1612
Reigning in Denmark when the Ginther 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 Saxony.
Origin & History of the Ginther Family in Germany
The name Ginther finds its roots in the Germanic regions of Central Europe, evolving from the Old High German name Guntahari. This name combines the elements for war and warrior, suggesting that early ancestors were likely recognized for their strength or military service. By the late sixteenth century, historical records confirm that members of the Ginther family were established in the region of Saxony. During this period, Saxony was a hub of religious and social change following the Reformation, which influenced how families lived and recorded their identities. As the name spread through the German states, it transitioned from a personal given name into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. This shift reflects the broader societal move toward fixed family names as populations grew and communities became more organized.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gundhari
Derived from Germanic elements meaning battle and army or warrior.
This name
GintherA surname of Germanic origin signifying a warrior or one who fights in an army.
also spelled
Guenther
Gunter
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Rigsarkivet, Danske Kancelli: Sjællandske Tegnelser (1638)
Rigsarkivet, Kirkebøger for Sjællands Stift (1638)
Krarup, Alfred, Navneforskning i Danmark (1910)
Steenstrup, Johannes, De danske Stednavne (1908)
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