A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kober family of Germany.
Reg. 4922 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
maceAuthority, and the officer who bears it
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'azur à un More, iss. d'un panier d'or; ledit More tort. d'arg., l'oreille ornée d'un anneau d'or, tenant une masse d'armes d'arg., posée sur son épaule dextre. C.: le More iss. (sans panier). L.: d'azur et d'or.”
GermanyGörlitz, c. 1542
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Map of Germany showing where the Kober arms are recorded
The Kober arms were recorded in Görlitz, c. 1542.
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.
Charles V
Sovereign of the period
Charles V
1519–1556
Reigning in Germany when the Kober 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 Kober Family in Germany
The surname Kober is deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, where it functioned as a descriptive occupational name. It is derived from the Middle High German word *kober*, which referred to a basket or a pack carried on the back. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing this name were likely peddlers, basket makers, or tradesmen who transported goods by foot. By the mid-sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Görlitz, which was then a significant center of trade and culture in Upper Lusatia. Records from 1542 confirm that members of the Kober family were active participants in the civic life of this region, contributing to the local economy and social structure during a time of great transformation in German history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kober
Derived from the Middle High German word for a basket or pannier.
This name
KoberAn occupational surname for a maker or seller of baskets.
also spelled
Kobber
Cober
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 Görlitz. Ratsprotokolle der Stadt Görlitz. 1542
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
maceAuthority, and the officer who bears it
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
maceAuthority, and the officer who bears it
