A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kepler family of Germany.
Reg. 5783 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Parti: au 1 d'arg. à un poisson au nat., posé en pal, la tête en bas; au 2 coupé: a. de gu. à un cerf naiss. au nat.; b. d'azur à un croiss. d'or, surm. d'une étoile du même. C.: le cerf iss., tenant entre ses dents un poisson. L. d'azur et de gu.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Kepler arms are recorded
The Kepler arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1765.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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 Kepler 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 Silesia.
Origin & History of the Kepler Family in Germany
The surname Kepler is rooted in the linguistic traditions of the German-speaking regions of Central Europe. It is generally classified as an occupational name, likely derived from the Middle High German word *keppel*, which referred to a maker or seller of caps or hoods. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Silesia. Historical records confirm that members of the Kepler family were living in this area by 1765, a time when Silesia was undergoing significant social and political changes under Prussian rule. During this period, families often moved across these territories to seek new opportunities in agriculture or trade. The persistence of the name in Silesian parish registers and tax documents suggests that the family integrated well into the local community, maintaining their identity as they contributed to the regional economy for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kappe
A Middle High German term for a hood or a cap.
This name
KeplerAn occupational name for a maker or seller of hoods and caps.
also spelled
Kappler
Capler
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
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
State Archive in Wrocław (Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu), Akta stanu cywilnego i księgi metrykalne
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
