Map of Germany showing where the Prum arms are recorded
The Prum arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought arms.
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 Prum 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 Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Prum Family in Germany
The family name Prum finds its historical roots in the region of Westphalia, where records confirm members of the family were living by 1765. During the eighteenth century, Westphalia was a landscape defined by small farming communities and a growing network of local trade. Families like the Prums were often tied to the land, working as skilled laborers or farmers who helped sustain the local economy. Because the name is geographically linked to this specific area, it likely originated as a way to identify individuals based on their home village or a local landmark. As people moved through the region, the name became a permanent way to track lineage and family connections across generations. This period was a time of significant social change, and the Prum family was part of the steady population that helped shape the identity of the Westphalian countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Prunus
Latin term for a plum tree or its fruit.
This name
PrumA topographic name for someone who lived near a plum orchard or tree.
also spelled
Prumme
Prum
Prummeau
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahl, Peter, Der Hof des Großen Kurfürsten: Studien zur höheren Beamtenschaft Brandenburg-Preußens, 2001
Westfälisches Landesarchiv, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen und katholischen Kirchengemeinden in Westfalen, 1765
Zimmermann, Wilhelm, Geschichte des Bauernkrieges in Deutschland, 1841
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
