A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Menge family of Germany.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Barré-contre-barré d'azur et d'arg. de quatre pièces. C.: un vol, coupé alt. d'arg. et d'azur.”
The Menge arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought 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.
Reigning in Germany when the Menge arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Menge has deep roots in the Westphalia region of Germany. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the family were well established in this area. The name itself is thought to be a shortened form of names like Meinhold or Meinhard, which were common in the Middle Ages. These names often contained the Germanic root word magin, meaning strength or might. As people began to adopt permanent surnames, families often used these short versions to identify themselves within their local communities. Living in Westphalia, the Menge family likely worked in agriculture or local trades, as this was the standard way of life for most families in the region during the eighteenth century. Over time, the name became a distinct marker of their heritage and their long-standing connection to the Westphalian landscape.
Old High German term meaning strength, power, or might.
