Map of Germany showing where the Khun arms are recorded
The Khun arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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 Khun 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 Khun Family in Germany
The surname Khun is a variant of the German name Kuhn, which originated as a shortened form of the medieval name Konrad. During the Middle Ages, names were often simplified to make them easier to use in daily life. By the time members of the family were documented in Nuremberg in 1765, the city was a major center for trade and skilled craftsmanship. Families living in Nuremberg at that time often belonged to the rising middle class of merchants or artisans. Because Nuremberg was a hub for the printing and metalworking industries, it is likely that early ancestors were involved in these specialized trades. The name reflects a long history of German naming traditions that focused on strong, traditional roots while adapting to the busy urban environment of an influential city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Konrad
Derived from the Germanic elements for bold and counsel.
This name
KhunA short form of the name Konrad, signifying a bold advisor.
also spelled
Kuhn
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
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen, 1982
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Reichsstadt Nürnberg, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
