A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Risner family of Germany.
Reg. 9294 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à une étoile d'or; aux 2 et 3 d'or au lion de gu., cour. d'or. Cq. cour. C.: une étoile d'or; entre un vol coupé d'or sur gu. L.: d'or et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1613
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Map of Germany showing where the Risner arms are recorded
The Risner arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1613.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit 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.
Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor
1612–1619
Reigning in Germany when the Risner 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 Risner Family in Germany
The Risner family name has deep roots in the historical region of Bavaria, where records confirm members of the family were established as early as 1613. During this period, the name was closely tied to the social and economic structures of the Holy Roman Empire. Families like the Risners often lived in rural or semi-rural communities where they were primarily involved in agriculture or skilled trades. Because the name likely originated as a descriptive term or a reference to a specific location, it suggests that the earliest ancestors were well-integrated into the local Bavarian landscape. Over the following centuries, the family name persisted through generations as they navigated the complex political shifts and religious changes that defined life in southern Germany. By maintaining their presence in the region, the Risner family became part of the enduring cultural fabric of Bavaria.
Risner Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Risin
Old High German word for a giant or a powerful person.
This name
RisnerA descriptive surname for a person of unusually large stature or great physical strength.
also spelled
Reizner
Reissner
Ryzner
Risner
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
