Map of Germany showing where the Holderbaum arms are recorded
The Holderbaum arms were recorded in Rothenburg Bav, 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 Holderbaum 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 Holderbaum Family in Germany
The surname Holderbaum originates from the German language and translates literally to "elder tree," suggesting that the family’s earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent elderberry bush or a specific landmark identified by this plant. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the Holderbaum family were well-established residents of the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. During this period, families in such walled towns often held specific roles within the community, ranging from skilled craftsmen to merchants who supported the local economy. Because the name is tied to a natural feature, it is classified as a topographic surname, which was a common way for people to identify themselves before modern record-keeping systems became standard. The presence of the family in Rothenburg during the eighteenth century indicates that they were part of a stable, settled population that contributed to the long-standing cultural history of the Franconia region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Holderbaum
Derived from the Middle High German words for elder tree and tree.
This name
HolderbaumA topographic surname referring to someone who lived near an elderberry tree.
also spelled
Holderbush
Holderbuscher
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
Stadtarchiv Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bürgerbuch der Stadt Rothenburg ob der Tauber, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
