A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mordred family of Germany.
Reg. 5438 · German, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or à un griffon naiss. de gu.; au 2 tranché-vivré d'or et d'azur. Cq. cour. C.: un buste d'homme de profil, hab. d'or, coiffé d'un bonnet pointu de gu., accosté de deux prob. coupées alt. d'or et d'azur. L. d'or et d'azur.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Mordred arms are recorded
The Mordred 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 Germany when the Mordred 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 Mordred Family in Germany
The family name Mordred carries a distinct history rooted in the cultural landscape of central Europe. While the name is often associated with legendary figures in literature, its practical origins in the eighteenth century point to a lineage established in the city of Nuremberg. By 1765, records confirm that members of the family were active residents within this bustling center of trade and craftsmanship. During this period, Nuremberg was a hub for skilled artisans and merchants, suggesting that the early Mordred family likely integrated into the city’s thriving middle class. The name itself reflects the linguistic traditions of the region, evolving alongside the shifting borders and social structures of the Holy Roman Empire. Over time, these early ancestors helped shape the local community through their work and daily contributions to city life, establishing a foundation that would persist through the following centuries.
Mordred Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mauricius
Derived from the Latin word for a Moor or dark-skinned person.
This name
MordredA legendary figure often associated with dark or ominous connotations in Arthurian tradition.
also spelled
Moerder
Merder
Murder
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Reichsstadt Nürnberg, 1765
Endres, Rudolf, Nürnberg im 18. Jahrhundert, 1975
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
