A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Radke family of Germany.
Reg. 0236 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 d'azur à une Minerve au nat., hab. d'une cuirasse d'or et d'une jupe de gu., le casque panaché d'arg., tenant de sa main dextre une pique et de sa sen. un bouclier ovale, le tout aussi d'arg.; au 2 d'or à une ruche au nat., surm. de six abeilles volantes aussi au nat., 3 et 3. Cq. cour. C.: un chevalier iss., le casque panaché, tenant de sa main dextre une épée haute et de sa sen. un bouclier ovale, le tout au nat. L. d'or et d'azur.”
SaxonyPosnanie · Saxony, c. 1811
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Map of Germany showing where the Radke arms are recorded
The Radke arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1811.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often 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.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Radke arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Saxony.
Origin & History of the Radke Family in Germany
The surname Radke is a German name that originated as a shortened version of names beginning with the element "rad," which means counsel or advice. During the Middle Ages, it was common for people to adopt these short forms as personal identifiers, which eventually became hereditary family names. By the early 19th century, the Radke family had established a firm presence in the region of Saxony. This area was a major center for agriculture and trade, and families living there often worked as skilled craftsmen or farmers. The movement of the family within Saxony during the year 1811 suggests they were part of a stable, long-standing community that was deeply integrated into the local social and economic life of the German states.
Radke Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Rad
Derived from the Old High German word for counsel or advice.
This name
RadkeA diminutive form of names containing the element rad, signifying a wise counselor or advisor.
also spelled
Radcke
Radka
Radkey
Related arms
Sieghardtrecorded with Radke, same area
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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, Kirchenbücher der evangelisch-lutherischen Landeskirche Sachsens, 1811
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
