A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Karcher family of Germany.
Reg. 9219 · German, J–L
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
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“De gu. à la fasce d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles (6) d'or. C.: une étoile (8) d'or, entre deux prob. de gu., ornées chacune dans son embouchure d'une étoile (6) d'or. L. de gu. et d'azur.”
GermanyRothenburg Bav, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Karcher arms are recorded
The Karcher 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 Karcher 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 Karcher Family in Germany
The surname Karcher is rooted in the occupational history of medieval Germany, originating from the Middle High German word *karchere*. This term specifically referred to a carter or a wagoner, someone whose livelihood depended on transporting goods by cart. By the mid-18th century, members of the Karcher family were well-established residents of the historic town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Living in a town famous for its medieval architecture and trade routes, these early ancestors likely played a vital role in the local economy by moving supplies into and out of the walled city. Their presence in Rothenburg by 1765 suggests that the family had integrated into the professional life of the region, contributing to the steady flow of commerce that sustained the town during the late Holy Roman Empire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Karch
A Middle High German term for a cart or carriage.
This name
KarcherAn occupational surname for a carter, wagoner, or someone who transported goods.
also spelled
Karchere
Karcherer
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
