A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lessen family of Germany.
Reg. 9305 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Coupé: au 1 de gu. à trois étoiles mal-ordonnées d'arg.; au 2 d'azur à deux lions léopardés d'arg., l'un sur l'autre. A quatorze perles d'arg., accolées en fasce, br. sur le coupé.”
HolsteinSaxe-Cobourg-Gotha · Holstein, c. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Lessen arms are recorded
The Lessen arms were recorded in Holstein, c. 1765.
Holstein was farming country between the North Sea and the Baltic, held in large estates. The same families kept the same land for generations, and generations of holding is what fills a register.
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 Lessen 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 Holstein.
Origin & History of the Lessen Family in Germany
The family name Lessen is deeply rooted in the northern regions of Germany, specifically within the historic territory of Holstein. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area, which was known for its complex mix of agricultural traditions and maritime trade. The name likely originated as a topographic or habitational surname, meaning it was often given to people based on the specific landscape or the village where they lived. In the eighteenth century, families in Holstein were often tied to the land through tenant farming or local craftsmanship. As the region underwent shifts in governance and social structure, the Lessen family remained part of the local community, contributing to the development of the rural economy. Their presence in Holstein during this period reflects the broader movement of families who settled in the fertile plains near the North and Baltic Seas to build stable lives for future generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lazzo
A Germanic short form of names containing the element lad.
This name
LessenA patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of a personal name.
also spelled
Leese
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Landesarchiv Schleswig-Holstein, Kirchenbücher der evangelisch-lutherischen Kirchengemeinden in Holstein
Landesarchiv Schleswig-Holstein, Volkszählungslisten und Steuerregister des Herzogtums Holstein
Heitmann, Clemens, Die Geschichte der holsteinischen Landbevölkerung im 18. Jahrhundert, 1982
Kohlheim, Rosa and Kohlheim, Volker, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20.000 Nachnamen, 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
