A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Löwenstein family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4750 · French, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. semé de trèfles d'or; au lion d'arg., cour. d'or, br. sur le tout. C.: le lion, assis entre deux cornes de buffle de sa., ornées chacune à l'ext. de trois trèfles d'or.”
Francec. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Löwenstein arms are recorded
The Löwenstein arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Löwenstein arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Löwenstein Family in France
The history of the Löwenstein name in France begins with the arrival of family members in the region of Bretagne by 1663. While the name originates from German-speaking lands, its presence in western France suggests a migration pattern often linked to trade, military service, or the movement of skilled artisans during the seventeenth century. Settling in a coastal province like Bretagne meant that these early ancestors likely integrated into a society defined by maritime commerce and local agricultural traditions. Over time, the spelling of the name often shifted to adapt to the French language, reflecting how immigrant families blended their heritage with their new surroundings. By establishing roots in this specific corner of France, the family became part of the complex social fabric of the era, moving away from their origins to build a distinct life in a new cultural landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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'arg. au lion léopardé de gu., cour. d'or, pass. sur un rang de quatre rochers de sin., mouv. de la p. C.: un lion de gu., cour. d'or, assis sur quatre rochers de sin.”
SwabiaSwabia, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Löwenstein arms are recorded
The Löwenstein 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 France when the Löwenstein 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 Löwenstein Family in Germany
The name Löwenstein originates from the German language and translates literally to Lion Stone. During the eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the Swabian region of southwestern Germany. This area was historically characterized by a complex network of small territories and independent cities, which allowed families to settle and integrate into local trade and agricultural communities. By 1765, records indicate that members of the family were already well-established within these Swabian districts. During this era, German surnames often reflected the geography of a family’s home or their specific occupation. The name Löwenstein likely served as a geographic identifier, connecting the family to a specific landmark or estate in the region. As the family grew, they participated in the social and economic shifts of the Holy Roman Empire, moving through the rural landscapes that defined southern Germany before the industrial changes of the following century.
Löwenstein Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Leo and Stein
Lion and stone in Middle High German.
This name
LöwensteinA topographic name for someone living near a stone or rock marked with a lion emblem.
also spelled
Lowensteyn
Lowenstine
Levenstine
Lovenstine
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Braudel, Fernand, L'Identité de la France, 1986
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
