A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Meader family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1955 · German, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 sin. à une faux d'arg., posée en barre, le fer en haut, acc. d'une étoile d'or au flanc dextre. C.: un paysan, hab. de gu., coiffé d'un chapeau de sa., fauchant. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
FranconiaFranconia, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Meader arms are recorded
The Meader arms were recorded in Franconia, c. 1765.
Franconia was a patchwork of small territories in central Germany, full of minor landowners and prosperous market towns. So many separate households held land there that the region produced a great many coats of 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 Meader 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 Franconia.
Origin & History of the Meader Family in Germany
The family name Meader finds its historical roots in the region of Franconia, a historic area in southern Germany known for its distinct cultural traditions and rolling landscapes. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this territory, likely living as farmers or skilled tradespeople during a time of significant social change. In the German language, names similar to Meader often evolved from occupational titles or descriptions of a person’s role in their local village. Because Franconia was a hub for trade and agriculture, families like the Meaders were often deeply connected to the land and the local parish life that defined the era. These early ancestors lived through a period when Germany was a collection of smaller states, meaning their daily lives were shaped by the specific customs and laws of the Franconian region. Over time, the family name became a permanent marker of their heritage, reflecting a long history of resilience and community involvement in the heart of central Europe.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé de sa. sur or. Cq. cour. C.: un homme iss., hab. de sa., tenant une faux d'or, posée sur son épaule.”
TyrolTyrol, c. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Meader arms are recorded
The Meader arms were recorded in Tyrol, c. 1772.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Meader Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Meader arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Tyrol.
Origin & History of the Meader Family in Austria
The family name Meader has deep roots in the mountainous region of Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1772. During this period, the name was closely tied to the rugged landscape of the Austrian Alps, where families often took surnames based on their specific trade or the geographic features of their homestead. In the context of Tyrol, the name likely evolved from local dialects describing people who worked as meadow keepers or farmers in the high alpine valleys. Life in the eighteenth century for the Meader family involved navigating the complex social structures of the Habsburg monarchy, which required families to maintain precise records for tax and military purposes. These early ancestors were likely part of a resilient community that balanced traditional mountain agriculture with the shifting political demands of the Austrian Empire. By settling in this region, the family became part of a long history of alpine heritage that defined the cultural identity of western Austria for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mäher
A person who cuts grass or crops with a scythe.
This name
MeaderAn occupational surname for a mower or harvester of hay and grain.
also spelled
Medere
Mederr
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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Staatsarchiv Bamberg, Standesamtliche Unterlagen und Kirchenbücher der Region Franken
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
