A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Halder family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3342 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à la fasce de sa. Cq. cour. C.: deux prob. de sa.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1765
Where the Halder Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Halder arms are recorded
The Halder arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit 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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Halder 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Halder Family in Germany
The family name Halder finds its roots in the southern regions of Germany, particularly within the historic landscapes of Bavaria. The name is classified as a topographic surname, which means it was originally given to people based on where they lived. In the Middle High German language, the word "halde" referred to a hillside or a sloping piece of land. Families who took on this name likely lived near a prominent hill or worked on the steep slopes of the Bavarian countryside. By the time records confirm the presence of the Halder family in 1765, the name had already been established for generations as a way to identify local residents by their connection to the rugged terrain. This naming tradition reflects the deep bond between early German families and the specific geography of their ancestral homes.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“D'or à un chaudron de gu., à cornière de sa. C.: un homme iss., hab. de gu., rebr. d'or, au rabat du même, tenant de ses mains la cornière élevée au-dessus de sa tête.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Halder Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Halder arms are recorded
The Halder arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Halder Family in Switzerland
The surname Halder is deeply connected to the geography of the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, as the name itself is derived from the Middle High German word *halde*, which refers to a hillside or a sloping piece of land. Families bearing this name were often associated with agricultural life or small-scale land ownership on the outskirts of growing towns. By the mid-eighteenth century, the Halder family had established a documented presence in the city of Bern, which was a significant political and economic hub at the time. Living in or near Bern in 1745 suggests that these early ancestors were likely integrated into the urban or suburban society of the Swiss Confederacy, possibly working as skilled laborers or tradespeople during a period of relative stability. Over time, the family name became a marker of this regional identity, reflecting the deep ties that many Swiss families maintained with the specific hills and valleys where they first settled.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hald
A slope, hillside, or a sheltered place.
This name
HalderAn occupational name for someone who lived on or worked a hillside or slope.
also spelled
Haldere
Halderh
Halderr
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
