A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pfefferkorn family of Germany.
Reg. 7758 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Parti: au 1 de sin. à un bâton d'arg., accolé d'un serpent d'or; au 2 d'or à un arbre de sin., mouv. d'une haie du même. C.: une étoile d'or, entre un vol de sin. L.: d'or et de sin.”
GermanyFrancfort s, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Pfefferkorn arms are recorded
The Pfefferkorn arms were recorded in Francfort s, 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 Pfefferkorn 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 Pfefferkorn Family in Germany
The surname Pfefferkorn is a descriptive German name that translates literally to pepper grain. In the Middle Ages, names like this were often given as nicknames to people who worked in the spice trade or to those who possessed a sharp and energetic personality. By the time the family was documented in Frankfurt in 1765, the name had been established for generations across various German-speaking regions. Families with this name were typically part of the rising middle class, often working as merchants, craftsmen, or local officials. Because Frankfurt was a major hub for trade and finance during the eighteenth century, the presence of the Pfefferkorn family there suggests they were likely involved in the city's active commercial life. Over time, the family spread through different provinces, maintaining their identity while adapting to the changing social structures of central Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pfeffer and Korn
Pepper and grain or corn
This name
PfefferkornA topographic or occupational name for a merchant dealing in spices and grain.
also spelled
Pfeferkorn
Fefferkorn
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Institut für Stadtgeschichte Frankfurt am Main, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Frankfurt am Main, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
