Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à une ancre d'azur, posée en bande. C.: trois pl. d'aut., une d'arg. entre deux d'azur.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kage family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à une ancre d'azur, posée en bande. C.: trois pl. d'aut., une d'arg. entre deux d'azur.”
The Kage arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1765.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often 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.
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.
The family name Kage has deep roots in the historical region of Saxony, where members of the family were documented as early as 1765. During the eighteenth century, Saxony was a center of agricultural development and regional trade, which likely shaped the lives of early family members. The name itself is thought to be linked to the Middle Low German word *kage*, which historically referred to a type of flat-bottomed boat used for transporting goods along rivers or through coastal shallows. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name may have been involved in river commerce or lived near important waterways that served as the lifeblood of the Saxon economy. As these individuals moved through the rural landscapes of the region, they became part of the local fabric of village life, contributing to the growth of their communities through trade and labor. Over time, the name became established within the local population, reflecting the practical and industrious nature of the families living in the heart of Germany.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à deux pals d'azur; à la fasce vivrée de gu., br. sur le tout. C.: un écran à quatorze flancs, aux armes de l'écu, orné de douze plumes de paon au nat.”
The Kage arms were recorded in Strasbourg, c. 1663.
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.
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
The history of the Kage family in France is deeply tied to the unique cultural landscape of the Alsace region. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were established in Strasbourg, a city that served as a vital crossroads between French and Germanic influences. During this period, Strasbourg was a center of trade and intellectual exchange, and families like the Kages often integrated into the local urban economy as skilled craftsmen or merchants. Because the region frequently shifted between different political powers, the family name likely evolved alongside the changing linguistic traditions of the area. Living in a border city meant that the Kage family experienced a blend of cultures, which shaped their daily lives and social standing within the community. Their presence in the city during the seventeenth century suggests they were part of the stable middle class that helped define the character of Strasbourg during a time of significant historical transition.
Derived from the Middle High German word for a cage or coop.

