A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Meder family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8733 · 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 Meder arms are recorded
The Meder 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 Meder 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 Meder Family in Germany
The surname Meder is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of southern Germany, particularly within the Franconia region. Etymologists often link the name to the Middle High German word *meder*, which historically referred to a mower or a person who harvested hay. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were likely agrarian workers or landholders who played an essential role in the rural economy of the Holy Roman Empire. By the mid-18th century, records confirm that the Meder family was well-established in Franconian villages, where they participated in the local social and agricultural life of the era. As the family grew, they became part of the steady demographic shifts that defined the German countryside, moving between parishes and contributing to the development of their local communities. Their presence in 1765 serves as a clear marker of a family that had already spent generations cultivating the land and building a legacy within the distinct cultural traditions of the Bavarian and Franconian territories.
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 Meder arms are recorded
The Meder 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 Meder 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 Meder 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 Meder Family in Austria
The surname Meder has deep roots in the Alpine regions of Austria, particularly within the rugged landscape of Tyrol. By the year 1772, records confirm that families bearing this name were already established members of the local community. The name itself is often linked to the Middle High German word *meder*, which historically referred to a mower or a person who harvested hay. In the mountainous terrain of Tyrol, where farming was the backbone of survival, this name likely identified individuals who played a vital role in the seasonal agricultural work necessary to sustain mountain villages. Over generations, these families became woven into the social fabric of the region, transitioning from their roles as laborers to becoming settled residents who helped shape the local culture and economy of the Austrian Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mederer
A person who measures or a land surveyor.
This name
MederAn occupational surname for someone who worked as a measurer of grain or land.
also spelled
Medere
Mederr
Related arms
Vegersimilar arms
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. 1765
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
