A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Merkel family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4801 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à une plume, posée en bande, acc. de deux fleurs-de-lis, le tout d'or. C.: une fleur-de-lis d'or, entre deux prob., celle à dextre d'azur ch. d'une fasce d'arg., celle à sen. d'arg. ch. d'une fasce d'azur.”
FranceStrasbourg, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Merkel arms are recorded
The Merkel arms were recorded in Strasbourg, c. 1663.
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 Merkel 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 Merkel Family in France
The family name Merkel has deep roots in the Alsace region, which sits on the border between France and Germany. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Merkel family were well-established residents of Strasbourg. During this period, Strasbourg was a crossroads of culture and language, having recently transitioned into the French kingdom under the reign of Louis XIV. The name itself likely originated as a shortened form of names like Markward or Marcus, which were common in Germanic-speaking areas at the time. Families like the Merkels often held roles as skilled tradespeople or local merchants, contributing to the city’s reputation as a center for commerce and printing. Because Strasbourg was a melting pot of traditions, the Merkel family lived through a unique time where they balanced their regional heritage with the growing influence of the French state. This history reflects the broader movement of families across European borders during the seventeenth century as they settled into the evolving political landscape of France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au chev. d'or, côtoyé en chef de deux los. du même et acc. en p. d'un ours naiss. d'arg. C.: l'ours, entre un vol à l'antique d'or, l'aile de devant ch. d'une fasce de gu., surch. d'une los. d'or. L.: d'or et de gu.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Merkel arms are recorded
The Merkel arms were recorded in Nuremberg, c. 1765.
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 Merkel 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Merkel Family in Germany
The surname Merkel is a German patronymic name, which means it originated as a shortened version of the name Markward or Marcus. During the Middle Ages, families often adopted these shorthand versions to distinguish themselves within growing urban populations. By the time the family was firmly established in Nuremberg by 1765, the city had become a major center for trade and skilled craftsmanship. Families like the Merkels often belonged to the rising middle class of merchants and artisans who helped define the economic power of the region. As they settled into the city, they became part of the social fabric of Nuremberg, contributing to its reputation as a hub for industry and innovation in the Holy Roman Empire. The name reflects a long tradition of German naming practices that focused on personal identity and family lineage within the bustling guild systems of the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mark
Derived from the Latin name Marcus, meaning dedicated to Mars.
This name
MerkelA Germanic diminutive form indicating a descendant of someone named Mark.
also spelled
Merckel
Related arms
Goingsimilar arms
Kretschmann auf Erkersreuthsimilar arms
Mothesimilar arms
Merckelvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de la Ville et de l'Eurométropole de Strasbourg, Registres paroissiaux de Strasbourg (1663)
Livet, Georges, L'intendance d'Alsace sous Louis XIV, 1648-1715, 1956
Reuss, Rodolphe, Histoire de Strasbourg des origines à nos jours, 1922
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
