A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Glahn family of Germany.
Reg. 6181 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. au chev. d'or, acc. en p. d'une croisette pattée du même. Cq. cour. C.: un vol de gu., l'aile dextre ch. d'une fasce d'or, l'aile sen. ch. d'une croisette pattée du même.”
WestphaliaWaldeck · Westphalia, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Glahn arms are recorded
The Glahn arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought 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 Glahn 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 Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Glahn Family in Germany
The surname Glahn finds its historical roots in the region of Westphalia, Germany, where the family was well-established by the mid-eighteenth century. The name is believed to be topographic in origin, likely derived from the Old High German word for a clearing or a bright, open space in a forest. During the 1700s, families in this area were often identified by the specific land they cultivated or the natural features surrounding their homesteads. By 1765, records indicate that members of the Glahn family were active participants in the local agrarian society of Westphalia. These early ancestors were likely farmers or tradespeople who contributed to the steady development of their rural communities. As the family grew, they maintained deep ties to the Westphalian landscape, which helped shape their identity and provided a stable foundation for future generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Slav
Refers to a person of Slavic ethnic or linguistic origin.
This name
GlahnA topographic or ethnic surname denoting someone who originated from Slavic-speaking regions.
also spelled
Jlan
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
Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen, Abteilung Westfalen, Kirchenbücher und Personenstandsregister, 1765
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
