A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kortum family of Germany.
Reg. 4933 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à une plante de sin., feuillée du même. fleurie de cinq roses de gu., 1, 2 et 2, entremêlées de quatre plus petites roses de gu., 2 et 2, posées sur un tertre de sin. C.: trois roses de gu., tigées de sin., mouv. de deux feuilles de sin. L. d'arg., de gu. et de sin.”
GermanyHambourg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Kortum arms are recorded
The Kortum arms were recorded in Hambourg, 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 Kortum 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 Kortum Family in Germany
The family name Kortum is rooted in the Low German language, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname. The name is derived from the word "kort," which means short, and it was traditionally used to identify someone of small stature or perhaps a person who was known for being brief and direct in their speech. By the mid-18th century, the family established a notable presence in the bustling port city of Hamburg. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the Kortum family were active participants in the social and economic life of this major trading hub. As Hamburg served as a gateway to international commerce, the family likely benefited from the city's growth and its connections to the wider world. Over time, the name became firmly established in the region, reflecting both the linguistic traditions of Northern Germany and the urban history of one of Europe's most important maritime centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Curtius
Latin for short or stunted in stature.
This name
KortumA topographic or descriptive surname referring to a person of short physical stature.
also spelled
Kortume
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
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
