Map of Germany showing where the Mapp arms are recorded
The Mapp arms were recorded in Mayence, c. 1813.
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.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Mapp arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Mapp Family in Germany
The surname Mapp has roots that stretch back into the heart of Europe, with significant records placing early family members in the city of Mayence, known today as Mainz, Germany, around 1813. During this period, the region was caught in the middle of the Napoleonic Wars, which caused major shifts in how people were documented and identified. The name likely evolved as a localized variation of older Germanic or topographical surnames, reflecting the movement of families across the Rhineland. As the family lived in a major trade hub along the Rhine River, they were situated in a melting pot of cultures and languages. This environment often led to the shortening or phonetic spelling of names as families moved between different administrative districts. By the early 19th century, the Mapp family was part of a society transitioning toward modern record-keeping, which helped solidify the spelling of the name as it appears today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mappa
A Latin term referring to a cloth, napkin, or table covering.
This name
MappA topographic or occupational name for a maker or seller of cloths or napkins.
also spelled
Mappe
Mapp
Mappez
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Landesarchiv Rheinland-Pfalz, Bestand 655 (Zivilstandsregister Mainz)
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
branchPeace, and new growth
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
branchPeace, and new growth
