Map of France showing where the Keller arms are recorded
The Keller arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Keller arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
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.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Keller Family in France
The family name Keller carries a distinct history that reflects the movement of people across European borders during the seventeenth century. While the name is often associated with Germanic roots, its presence in the Brittany region of France by 1663 suggests a story of migration and integration into local society. During this era, families often moved to find new opportunities in trade or agriculture, and those bearing the name Keller likely adapted to the social structures of their new home in western France. By settling in Brittany, these early family members became part of a unique cultural landscape known for its strong maritime traditions and distinct regional identity. Their presence in official records from this time indicates that they were established members of their community who participated in the legal and social life of the province. This early chapter of the family history highlights how names traveled alongside individuals, eventually becoming woven into the fabric of French regional life.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé de gu. sur arg.; au lion de l'un en l'autre, tenant de ses pattes une clé d'or en pal. C.: un homme iss., tenant la clé.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1578
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Map of Germany showing where the Keller arms are recorded
The Keller arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1578.
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.
Emperor Rudolf II
Sovereign of the period
Emperor Rudolf II
1576–1612
Reigning in France when the Keller 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 Keller Family in Germany
The surname Keller is a classic example of an occupational name that emerged during the Middle Ages in German-speaking regions. The word itself comes from the Middle High German term *kellere*, which referred to a cellarer or a person in charge of a wine cellar or storehouse. Because these individuals managed valuable supplies for monasteries, castles, or wealthy estates, the position was one of significant trust and responsibility. By the time records confirm the presence of the family in Bavaria in 1578, the name had already transitioned from a job description to a hereditary family identifier. As the family settled into the Bavarian landscape, they likely integrated into the local social structure as tradespeople or administrators. This evolution reflects the broader history of German surnames, where professional roles often became the permanent labels for families as populations grew and record-keeping became more formal.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 bande d'arg., ch. de trois boules du champ. C.: une corne de bouquetin d'or, ornée le long du dos de trois boules de gu., sommées chacune d'un panache de plumes de coq de sa.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Keller arms are recorded
The Keller 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 Keller Family in Switzerland
The name Keller originated as a professional title derived from the Middle High German word *kellære*, which referred to a person in charge of a cellar or a storehouse. In the context of medieval Switzerland, this role was often held by an official responsible for managing the wine cellars or grain supplies of a monastery or a noble estate. Because these individuals held positions of trust and authority, the name became a common surname as families began to adopt hereditary identifiers. By the time members of the Keller family were documented in Bern in 1745, the name was already well-established across the Swiss cantons. These early families were often integrated into the local civic life of their towns, serving as farmers, merchants, or tradespeople who helped shape the economic foundation of the region. The name reflects a history rooted in the practical management of resources, which was a vital part of daily life in early Swiss society.
Keller Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cellarium
A Latin term referring to a storeroom or pantry.
This name
KellerAn occupational surname for a person in charge of a wine cellar or storeroom.
also spelled
Kellar
Related arms
Abbenevolisimilar arms
Amansimilar arms
Eppenssimilar arms
Kelervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Bretagne, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
