Map of Germany showing where the Lorentzen arms are recorded
The Lorentzen arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Lorentzen 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 Lorentzen Family in Germany
The surname Lorentzen is a patronymic name, which means it was originally formed by adding a suffix to the given name Lorenz. This name is the German version of the Latin name Laurentius, which translates to someone who comes from the town of Laurentum or someone who is crowned with laurel leaves. By the time the family was documented in Bavaria in 1765, the name had already been established for generations across various Germanic regions. During this era, families often lived in small agricultural communities where they were identified by their father’s first name to distinguish them from neighbors. As the family moved through the Bavarian landscape, they likely worked as skilled tradespeople or farmers, contributing to the local economy of the Holy Roman Empire. The transition from a simple given name to a permanent family surname reflects the way German society began to organize its population for tax and census purposes during the eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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'or à une marque de marchand de sa. en forme de deux triangles vidés, l'un sur l'autre, le premier renv., s'entretouchant ; ladite marque soutenue d'un tertre de sin. et sommée d'un 4 de sa., et un fer de rabot d'arg. en fasce, br. sur le point de contact des triangles. C.: un homme iss., hab. d'un parti de sa. et d'or, tenant de sa main dextre un gril carré de sa. à manche du même et de sa sen. un livre ouv. d'arg L. d'or et de sa.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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 Switzerland showing where the Lorentzen arms are recorded
The Lorentzen arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Lorentzen Family in Switzerland
The family name Lorentzen carries a rich history that traces back to the vibrant city of Basel, Switzerland, where records confirm the family’s presence as early as 1745. During the mid-18th century, Basel served as a major center for trade and intellectual exchange in Europe. Families like the Lorentzens often integrated into the local urban structure by participating in the city's guild system or engaging in the flourishing textile and banking industries that defined the region. The name itself is a patronymic, meaning it was derived from the given name Laurentius, which signifies that the family likely established its identity during a period when surnames were becoming formal requirements for legal and tax purposes. By settling in Basel, the early members of this family became part of a sophisticated society that valued education and civic duty, allowing them to contribute to the unique cultural tapestry of the Swiss Confederation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Laurentius
Derived from the Latin word for the laurel tree or laurel wreath.
This name
LorentzenA patronymic surname meaning son of Laurence, signifying one from Laurentum or a laurel-crowned victor.
also spelled
Lorens
Lorenz
Lorents
Lawrence
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
