A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rather family of Germany.
Reg. 8199 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
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)
“De gu. à la bande d'arg., ch. d'un lion léopardé du champ, et acc. en chef d'un chicot au nat., posé en bande, poussant des feuilles de sin. à sen., et en p. de trois étoiles du sec., rangées en bande. Cq. cour. C.: une clé d'or; entre deux prob., coupées alt. d'arg. et de gu.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1837
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Map of Germany showing where the Rather arms are recorded
The Rather arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1837.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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 Rather 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 Silesia.
Origin & History of the Rather Family in Germany
The family name Rather has deep roots in the historical region of Silesia, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1837. During this era, Silesia was a vibrant territory characterized by a mix of German and Polish cultural influences, serving as a crossroads for trade and agriculture in Central Europe. Families with this surname often lived in rural or semi-urban communities where they contributed to the local economy through skilled labor or farming. As the nineteenth century progressed, the social landscape of the region shifted due to industrialization and political changes, which encouraged many families to document their lives through parish registers and civil records. These early ancestors were part of a resilient population that navigated the complex social structures of the Prussian-controlled territories, leaving behind a legacy that is tied to the specific development of the Silesian landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rat
Old High German word for counsel, advice, or deliberation.
This name
RatherAn occupational surname for a counselor, advisor, or a member of a town council.
also spelled
Rodher
Rotter
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Knie, Johann Georg. Alphabetisch-statistisch-topographische Uebersicht der Dörfer, Flecken, Städte und anderen Orte der königlichen preußischen Provinz Schlesien. 1845
State Archive in Wrocław (Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu). Civil Registration Records for the Silesian Province. 1837
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
