A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kretschmann family of Germany.
Reg. 4407 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
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 un croiss. figuré tourné d'arg. C.: un homme iss., hab. d'azur, coiffé d'un bonnet à l'antique du même, tenant de sa main dextre le croiss. en barre.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Kretschmann arms are recorded
The Kretschmann arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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 Kretschmann 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 Kretschmann Family in Germany
The surname Kretschmann originates from the Middle High German word "kretzschmer," which was a common term for a village innkeeper or a tavern owner. During the medieval period, many families adopted names based on their specific trade or profession to help identify them within growing communities. By the time members of the family were documented in Nuremberg in 1765, the name had become well-established throughout the German-speaking regions. Nuremberg was a major center for trade and craftsmanship during the eighteenth century, and families like the Kretschmanns often played active roles in the local economy. The transition from a professional title to a permanent family name reflects the social structure of the era, where a person’s livelihood was central to their identity and their place in society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kretschmar
A Slavic term for an innkeeper or tavern owner.
This name
KretschmannA diminutive or patronymic form referring to the descendant of an innkeeper.
also spelled
Kretschman
Kreschmann
Kretschmon
Kretchman
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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg. Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
