A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gwinner family of Germany.
Reg. 0001 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. à une ancre renv. d'azur, posée en barre; au 2 d'or à trois boules d'arg.; au 3 de gu. à trois chev. d'arg. C.: une rose naturelle de gu., tigée et feuillée de sin.; entre un vol d'arg. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
GermanyFrancfort s, c. 1765
Where the Gwinner Arms Were Recorded
Francfort s
Map of Germany showing where the Gwinner arms are recorded
The Gwinner arms were recorded in Francfort s, 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 Gwinner 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 Gwinner Family in Germany
The Gwinner family name has deep roots in the region surrounding Frankfurt, Germany, where members of the family were firmly established by the mid-eighteenth century. The name itself is thought to be derived from Middle High German terms related to a person who was a winner or a successful individual, often used as a descriptive nickname in medieval society. By 1765, the Gwinners were active participants in the economic and social life of Frankfurt, a city known for its bustling trade and banking culture. As the family grew, they became well-known for their involvement in commerce and public service, helping to shape the local community over several generations. This history reflects the broader trend of families in the region who rose to prominence through hard work and strategic involvement in the city's growing financial markets.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gewinner
One who gains or wins through labor or effort.
This name
GwinnerAn occupational or descriptive surname for a successful person or a victor.
also spelled
Gwiner
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Böhm, Karl-Heinz. Die Frankfurter Gwinner: Eine Familiengeschichte. 1984
Institut für Stadtgeschichte Frankfurt am Main. Personenstandsunterlagen und Bürgerbücher der Stadt Frankfurt. 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
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
