A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Nipper family of Germany.
Reg. 2340 · German, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or au chev. renv. de gu.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur au lion d'arg. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1º un vol aux armes du 1; l. d'or et de gu.; 2º le lion du 2, iss., entre un vol coupé alt. d'azur et d'arg.; l. d'arg. et d'azur.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1790
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Map of Germany showing where the Nipper arms are recorded
The Nipper arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1790.
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.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Nipper 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Nipper Family in Germany
The family name Nipper has roots that trace back to the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Bavaria by 1790. In the German language, the name is often associated with the Middle High German word "nippen," which describes the act of sipping or taking small tastes of a drink. It is likely that the name began as a descriptive nickname for a person who frequented local taverns or perhaps someone who possessed a refined or cautious manner of drinking. During the late 18th century, families in the Bavarian region were often tied to specific trades or agricultural roles, and the name would have served as a way to distinguish individuals within their local village communities. As these families grew and eventually migrated, the name traveled with them, evolving in spelling while maintaining its connection to its linguistic origins in the southern German states.
Nipper Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Knipper
Derived from the Middle Low German verb knippen meaning to clip.
This name
NipperAn occupational name for a tailor or someone who cuts cloth.
also spelled
Noppere
Noper
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
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kirchenbücher der Pfarreien in Bayern, 1790
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
