A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rapp family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 6474 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à un rencontre de boeuf parti de gu. et d'arg. C.: un bonnet de gu., retr. d'herm., sommé de trois fleurs-de-lis héraldiques, de gu., d'arg. et d'azur, tigées de sin. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
GermanyThuringe, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Rapp arms are recorded
The Rapp arms were recorded in Thuringe, 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 Rapp 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 Rapp Family in Germany
The surname Rapp is deeply connected to the linguistic and cultural landscape of medieval Germany. It is classified as a nickname-based surname, likely originating from the Middle High German word "rap," which translates to a raven. In early Germanic societies, such descriptors were often used to identify individuals based on their physical traits, personality, or a notable association with a specific animal. By the time the family was firmly established in the region of Thuringia in 1765, the name had already been passed down through generations as a permanent identifier. During this era, Thuringia was a collection of small states and territories where local records began to track families more consistently for tax and church purposes. The presence of the Rapp family in this area reflects the broader movement of people across central Germany, where families often remained in specific rural or town communities for centuries, allowing the name to become a stable part of the local identity.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
vol / wingsSwiftness and protection
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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'azur à un palmier terrassé de sin., et un crocodile d'arg., pass. au pied de l'arbre; à sen. un pélican d'arg., tenant en son bec un serpent du même; au 2 de gu. à un vol d'arg., surm. de trois étoiles du même; au 3 de gu. à un chevalier, arm. de toutes pièces d'arg., tenant une épée et un bouclier du même, galopant sur une terrasse de sin.”
AlsaceAlsace, c. 1809
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Map of France showing where the Rapp arms are recorded
The Rapp arms were recorded in Alsace, c. 1809.
Alsace lay between France and the German lands and belonged to both at different times. Its families held small estates and served whichever side ruled, and men who served in arms carried arms of their own.
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 France in this period.
Napoleon
Sovereign of the period
Napoleon
1804–1814
Reigning in Germany when the Rapp arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Alsace.
Origin & History of the Rapp Family in France
The surname Rapp has deep roots in the Alsace region, a territory that has historically shifted between French and German cultural influences. By the early 19th century, the family was well-established in this area, which was then part of the French Empire under Napoleon Bonaparte. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname, possibly derived from the Middle High German word for a raven or a similar bird, or perhaps referring to a person with a quick or sharp personality. During the Napoleonic era, the presence of the Rapp family in Alsace became particularly notable due to the rise of Jean Rapp, a famous general who served as a trusted aide-de-camp to the Emperor. His prominence helped solidify the family name within the administrative and military records of the time. As the region transitioned through various political changes, the Rapp family remained a fixture of the local Alsatian community, maintaining their identity through centuries of regional development.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un vautour de sa., le vol levé. C.: le vautour, entre deux prob. coupées de sa. sur or.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Rapp arms are recorded
The Rapp arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Rapp Family in Switzerland
The family name Rapp has deep roots in the Swiss region, particularly within the city of Basel where records confirm their presence by 1745. The name itself is likely derived from the Middle High German word for a raven, which was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person with dark hair or a sharp, clever personality. During the eighteenth century, families with this name were often integrated into the urban life of Basel, which served as a major hub for trade and craftsmanship along the Rhine River. As the family established itself in this area, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the professional and civic growth of the city. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who settled in Swiss cantons to pursue stability and trade during a time of significant economic transition in Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rappe
A black horse or a dark-colored animal.
This name
RappA nickname for a person with dark hair or a dark complexion.
also spelled
Rap
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
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen, 1971
Thüringisches Staatsarchiv Rudolstadt, Kirchenbücher und Personenstandsregister, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bullValour and generosity
bullValour and generosity
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
vol / wingsSwiftness and protection
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
knightChivalry and service in arms
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
