Map of Germany showing where the Kroger arms are recorded
The Kroger 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 Kroger 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 Kroger Family in Germany
The surname Kroger originates from the Low German word *Kröger*, which was a professional title for an innkeeper or the owner of a tavern. In the mid-eighteenth century, the name was firmly established in the bustling port city of Hamburg, a major center for trade and commerce in Northern Germany. By 1765, families bearing this name were integrated into the urban life of the city, likely serving as merchants or tradespeople who supported the busy maritime economy. Because Hamburg was a member of the Hanseatic League, the name reflects a time when local innkeepers played a vital role in providing hospitality and logistics for travelers moving goods across Europe. The evolution of the name from a job description to a permanent family identifier highlights the transition of the Kroger ancestors from local service providers to established city residents.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Krug
A ceramic vessel or pitcher used for holding liquids.
This name
KrogerAn occupational surname for a tavern keeper or someone who made pottery.
also spelled
Kroeger
Krogerr
Krogere
Related arms
Kroegervariant spelling
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
swordJustice, and military honour
swordJustice, and military honour
