A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Millheim family of Germany.
Reg. 5954 · German, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“D'azur à un cerf au nat., pass. sur une terrasse de sin., le col percé d'une flèche d'arg. en barre, la pointe en bas. Cq. cour. C.: le cerf iss., la flèche en bande, la pointe en haut. L. d'or et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1569
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Map of Germany showing where the Millheim arms are recorded
The Millheim arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1569.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
1564–1576
Reigning in Germany when the Millheim 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 Millheim Family in Germany
The surname Millheim originates from the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, with documented roots tracing back to the Bavarian countryside as early as 1569. The name is topographic in nature, meaning it was likely adopted by families living near a specific landmark or settlement. In the German language, the prefix "Mill" often refers to a mill, while "heim" translates to a home, village, or settlement. This suggests that the earliest members of the family were likely residents of a small farming community centered around a watermill or a windmill. During the late 16th century, life in Bavaria was defined by the stability of local village structures and the importance of trade along regional waterways. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and milling traditions that were essential to the economy of the Holy Roman Empire at that time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mühle und Heim
Mill and home or dwelling place.
This name
MillheimRefers to a person who lived at or near a mill or a mill settlement.
also spelled
Muelheim
Muelhime
Meelhime
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv), Kurbayern Hofkammer Buchführung
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
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