Map of Germany showing where the Kondor arms are recorded
The Kondor arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1765.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often 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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Kondor 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 Saxony.
Origin & History of the Kondor Family in Germany
The surname Kondor has deep roots in the historical region of Saxony, where family members were documented as early as 1765. The name is closely linked to the German word for the Andean condor, a large bird of prey known for its strength and high flight. In the eighteenth century, it was common for families to adopt names based on local wildlife or specific physical traits that represented their character. Living in the Saxon landscape, which was a hub for trade and craftsmanship during this era, the early Kondor family likely worked as skilled laborers or farmers. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of their community through agriculture and regional commerce. This name served as a way to identify their lineage during a time when surnames were becoming essential for tax records and legal documentation in German-speaking lands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kondor
Derived from the Middle High German word for a large bird.
This name
KondorA topographic or habitational name referring to someone who lived near a sign or landmark depicting a condor.
also spelled
Koender
Conder
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1882
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv. Kirchenbücher der evangelisch-lutherischen Landeskirche Sachsens. 1765
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cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
