A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rittman family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1207 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
horseReadiness to serve king and country
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à un cheval galopant d'arg. C.: un chevalier iss., dans l'action de lancer une flèche.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1765
Where the Rittman Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Rittman arms are recorded
The Rittman arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Rittman 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Rittman Family in Germany
The surname Rittman originates from the Germanic linguistic tradition, where it likely functioned as a descriptive occupational or status-based name. The root word "Ritt" relates to riding or horsemanship, while the suffix "man" denotes a person associated with that activity. This suggests that early ancestors were likely skilled horsemen, perhaps serving as mounted soldiers or messengers within the feudal structures of the Holy Roman Empire. By the mid-18th century, records confirm that the family was firmly established in the region of Bavaria. During this era, Bavarian society was deeply rooted in agrarian life and local craftsmanship, and families like the Rittmans were often tied to specific parishes where they contributed to the local economy and community governance. Their presence in 1765 reflects a period of stability in southern Germany, where families were increasingly documented in church registers as they navigated the transition from traditional village life toward the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
horseReadiness to serve king and country
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 cheval cabré de sa., soutenu d'une terrasse de sin. C.: un lansquenet iss., hab. de sa., ceint d'or, coiffé d'un chapeau de sa., tenant une pique au nat.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Rittman Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Rittman arms are recorded
The Rittman 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 Rittman Family in Switzerland
The Rittman family name has deep roots tied to the professional and social landscape of eighteenth-century Switzerland. By 1745, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of Bâle, which was a major hub for trade and craftsmanship during that era. The name itself is thought to be derived from the German word for a rider or a mounted soldier, suggesting that the family’s earliest ancestors may have held roles related to cavalry service or land management. As residents of Bâle, the Rittman family likely participated in the city’s guild system, which organized the daily lives and political influence of local citizens. Their presence in this region during the mid-1700s points to a history of stability and integration within the urban centers of the Swiss Confederation, where families often built their legacies through skilled labor and active involvement in local government.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ritter
A mounted soldier or knight in medieval society.
This name
RittmanAn occupational surname for a knight or a servant who worked for a knight.
also spelled
Ritman
Rittman
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
horseReadiness to serve king and country
horseReadiness to serve king and country
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
