A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Laufenberg family of Germany.
Reg. 8253 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
leafHappiness and abundance
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à trois feuilles de tilleul d'arg., posées et rangées en bande, les tiges en bas. C.: un chapeau pyramidal de gu., retr. d'arg., sommé d'une boule d'or; entre un vol, de gu. et d'arg.”
SwabiaSwabia, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Laufenberg arms are recorded
The Laufenberg arms were recorded in Swabia, c. 1765.
Swabia was broken into a great many small territories in southern Germany, and each had its own landowners and its own leading townsmen. That fragmentation produced an unusual number of families with arms.
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 Laufenberg 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 Swabia.
Origin & History of the Laufenberg Family in Germany
The surname Laufenberg is a topographic name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe. It is derived from the Middle High German words "loufen," meaning to run or flow, and "berc," meaning a hill or mountain. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived near a prominent hill located by a rushing stream or a series of rapids. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that the family had established a strong presence in the Swabian region. During this era, Swabia was a hub of agricultural and artisanal activity, and families like the Laufenbergs were often deeply integrated into the local village structure. As the family grew, they contributed to the unique cultural and linguistic landscape of southwestern Germany, maintaining their roots in the region for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Laufen and Berg
Laufen means to run or flow, and Berg means a mountain.
This name
LaufenbergRefers to a person who lived near a mountain stream or a waterfall.
also spelled
Laubenbergh
Laubenburg
Laubenberk
Lowbenberg
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
Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Kirchengemeinden in Württemberg, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
leafHappiness and abundance
leafHappiness and abundance
