A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rittmann family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1632 · 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 Rittmann Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Rittmann arms are recorded
The Rittmann 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 Rittmann 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 Rittmann Family in Germany
The family name Rittmann originates from the German language and is rooted in the medieval social structure of the region. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "ritter," which translates to knight or mounted warrior, combined with the suffix "mann" meaning man. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing this name were likely professional soldiers or men who served in the cavalry for local lords. By the mid-18th century, records confirm that the Rittmann family had established a firm presence in Bavaria. During this era, Bavaria was a collection of rural communities where families were often tied to the land and specific trades. The Rittmanns were part of this traditional society, likely working as skilled farmers or craftsmen who contributed to the local economy of the Bavarian countryside. Their migration and settlement patterns reflect the broader history of German families who maintained strong ties to their regional identity while adapting to the changing social landscape of the 1700s.
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 Rittmann Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Rittmann arms are recorded
The Rittmann 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 Rittmann Family in Switzerland
The Rittmann family name finds its historical roots in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, where it emerged as a descriptor for individuals associated with mounted service or equestrian skills. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the city of Basel, with records confirming their residency there by 1745. During this era, Basel served as a vital hub for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Rittmanns often integrated into the urban fabric as skilled artisans or merchants. Because the name is linked to the Middle High German term for a rider or knight, it suggests that the earliest ancestors likely held positions of responsibility or status within their local communities. Over time, the family became deeply embedded in the social and economic life of the Basel region, contributing to the steady development of the city's professional classes throughout the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ritter
A mounted soldier or a person of noble status.
This name
RittmannA person who served as a knight or lived near a knight's estate.
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
