A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kreiser family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9770 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Tranché d'azur sur arg.; à la bande de l'un à l'autre, acc. de deux annelets de l'un à l'autre. C.: un homme iss., hab. d'azur, coiffé d'un bonnet pointu du même, supp. de sa main dextre un annelet d'arg.”
GermanyCologne, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Kreiser arms are recorded
The Kreiser arms were recorded in Cologne, 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 Kreiser 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 Kreiser Family in Germany
The family name Kreiser finds its roots in the German language, likely originating as a descriptive occupational or topographical surname. In many regions of Germany, names ending in "-er" were used to identify a person by their trade or their place of origin. The name is often associated with the Middle High German word "kreis," which can refer to a circle, a district, or a specific administrative territory. By the mid-18th century, the Kreiser family was firmly established in the city of Cologne. During this period, Cologne was a bustling center of commerce and trade along the Rhine River, and families like the Kreisers were often integrated into the local guild systems or urban merchant classes. Records from 1765 confirm their presence in this historic city, suggesting that they were part of the stable, tax-paying population that helped define the social structure of the Rhineland during the Enlightenment era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 une colombe volante d'arg. C.: une boule d'arg., cintrée du même, sommée d'un compas aussi d'arg., ouvert en chev.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Kreiser arms are recorded
The Kreiser arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Kreiser Family in Switzerland
The surname Kreiser finds its roots in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, where it emerged as a descriptive name linked to the occupations or geographical locations of early ancestors. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the canton of Bern, a region historically defined by its strong administrative structure and agricultural traditions. Records from 1745 confirm that members of the Kreiser family were active participants in the social and economic life of this area during a period of significant regional stability. As residents of Bern, these early family members likely navigated the complex guild systems and local governance that characterized Swiss life at the time. The name itself is thought to be derived from terms related to circular movement or specific land boundaries, suggesting that the original bearers were likely farmers or tradespeople who held a distinct place within their rural or urban communities. Through their integration into the Bernese landscape, the Kreiser family contributed to the long-standing cultural history of the Swiss plateau.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kreis
A circle, district, or administrative region.
This name
KreiserAn occupational surname for a local official or someone residing within a specific district.
also spelled
Kreiser
Kreisen
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
Historisches Archiv der Stadt Köln, Personenstandsregister der Stadt Köln, 1765
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
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
