Map of Germany showing where the Reusser arms are recorded
The Reusser arms were recorded in Lauingen Bav, 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 Reusser 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 Reusser Family in Germany
The surname Reusser is deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for people living near a specific river or those who worked as travelers. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the town of Lauingen, located in the Bavarian region of Germany. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the Reusser family were active participants in the local community during this period. As was common for families of that era, their lives were closely tied to the agricultural and trade cycles of the Danube river valley. Over time, the name spread through various German states, reflecting the movement of families seeking new opportunities in growing urban centers. This history highlights a tradition of resilience and steady integration into the social fabric of southern Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Reuss
A historical name referring to a person from the Reuss region.
This name
ReusserA topographic or habitational surname denoting someone who originated from the Reuss territory.
also spelled
Reusser
Reusar
Reusor
Roizer
Reuzer
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Lauingen, Kirchenbücher der Pfarrei St. Martin (1765)
Kohlheim, Rosa and Volker Kohlheim, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20.000 Nachnamen, 2005
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
branchPeace, and new growth
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
branchPeace, and new growth
