A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hamburger family of Germany.
Reg. 8268 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'azur à la fasce d'arg., acc. en chef de deux étoiles d'or et en p. d'un coq hardi du sec. Cq. cour. C.: une étoile d'or, entre un vol d'azur. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Hamburger arms are recorded
The Hamburger arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
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 Hamburger 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 Hamburger Family in Germany
The surname Hamburger is a classic example of a locative name, which was historically given to individuals to identify their place of origin. In the German-speaking world, this name typically signaled that an ancestor had migrated from the city of Hamburg to a new region. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in Bavaria, specifically around 1765. During this era, people often moved across German territories for trade, marriage, or employment opportunities. Once a person settled in a new town, neighbors often referred to them by their home city to distinguish them from local residents. Over time, this descriptive label became a permanent family name that was passed down through generations, preserving the memory of the family’s geographic roots long after they had settled in their new Bavarian home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hamburg
A fortified settlement or castle located near a forest or meadow.
This name
HamburgerA person who originated from the city of Hamburg in northern Germany.
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
