A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kreuter family of Germany.
Reg. 1625 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'azur à trois trèfles de sin. C.: un buste d'homme, hab. d'or, tort. d'arg.; entre un vol d'azur, chaque aile ch. d'un trèfle de sin. L.: d'or et d'azur.”
GermanyHambourg, c. 1765
Where the Kreuter Arms Were Recorded
Hambourg
Map of Germany showing where the Kreuter arms are recorded
The Kreuter 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 Kreuter 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 Kreuter Family in Germany
The surname Kreuter is an occupational name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe. It comes from the Middle High German word "kruter," which refers to someone who worked as a gatherer or seller of herbs, spices, or medicinal plants. By the mid-18th century, the family was well-established in the bustling port city of Hamburg. Records confirm that members of the Kreuter family were living there by 1765, likely drawn to the city by its status as a major center for international trade. Because Hamburg was a hub for merchants and specialized workers, it is probable that early ancestors used their knowledge of plants and trade goods to build a stable life within the city’s growing economy. Over time, the name evolved from a simple description of a person's daily work into a permanent family identity passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kraut
A German word referring to herbs, vegetables, or cabbage.
This name
KreuterAn occupational surname for a gardener, herb grower, or vegetable farmer.
also spelled
Kreutter
Kruiter
Kreuterr
Kroiter
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
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
