A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Knappenberger family of Germany.
Reg. 2056 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
triangleThe Trinity, and stability
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à cinq triangles d'arg., acc. de trois merlettes de gu., rangées entre la première et la deuxième triangle. C.: deux prob. d'or, celle à dextre ch. de quatre barres d'azur et celle à sen. de quatre bandes du même, ornées chacune dans son embouchure de quatre plumes de paon au nat. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
WestphaliaWestphalia, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Knappenberger arms are recorded
The Knappenberger arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought arms.
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 Knappenberger 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 Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Knappenberger Family in Germany
The Knappenberger family name originates from the German language and carries a meaning rooted in the social structure of the Middle Ages. The name is composed of two parts. The first part, Knappen, refers to a squire or a young man who served a knight. The second part, berger, identifies a person who lives on or near a mountain or hill. Together, the name likely described someone who lived on a hillside and worked as a squire or a laborer. By 1765, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the Westphalia region of Germany. During this period, families in this area were often defined by their trade and their connection to the local land. The Knappenbergers were part of a hardworking population that navigated the changing political and economic landscape of eighteenth-century Prussia. Their presence in Westphalia marks a significant point in the family history as they prepared for the eventual migration of many members to North America in the following decades.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Knappe
A young man, squire, or servant in medieval times.
This name
KnappenbergerA person who lived at or worked on a mountain or hill.
also spelled
Cnippenberg
Knippen
Knipenberg
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 Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen, Abteilung Westfalen. Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Kirchengemeinden in Westfalen
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
triangleThe Trinity, and stability
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
triangleThe Trinity, and stability
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
