Map of Germany showing where the Rohde arms are recorded
The Rohde arms were recorded in Han, c. 1767.
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.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Rohde 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 Rohde Family in Germany
The surname Rohde is a classic example of a topographic name rooted in the medieval German language. It originates from the Middle High German word "rode," which refers to a piece of land that was cleared of trees and brush to make room for farming or a settlement. Families who took this name were often early pioneers who worked to cultivate the dense forests of Northern and Central Germany. By the time our ancestors were documented in the town of Han in 1767, the name had been established for centuries as a way to identify people by the landscape they inhabited. This history reflects a time when communities were closely tied to the physical transformation of the wilderness into productive farmland. As these families grew, the name spread across various regions, marking the presence of hardworking settlers who played a vital role in the development of rural German society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a chev. embattled az. betw. two falcons rising in chief ppr. belled or, and an anchor in base sa. the cable of the third, an escallop of the field enclosed by two bezants”
MiddlesexMiddlesex, c. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Rohde arms are recorded
The Rohde arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1765.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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 England in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in Germany when the Rohde arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Rohde Family in England
The surname Rohde is rooted in the Germanic linguistic tradition, where it historically described a person who lived near a forest clearing or a piece of land that had been cleared for farming. While the name has deep origins in Northern Europe, its presence in England became more established during the eighteenth century as families migrated for trade and professional opportunities. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Rohde family were well-settled in Middlesex, a county that served as a vital hub for commerce and administration near London. During this period, families with this name were often integrated into the urban middle class, participating in the bustling mercantile life of the capital. Their transition into English society reflects the broader movement of European families who brought their skills and traditions to Britain, eventually blending their ancestral identity into the local community.
Rohde Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Rode
A clearing in a forest created by cutting down trees.
This name
RohdeRefers to someone who lived near or worked on a forest clearing.
also spelled
Rhode
Rode
Roode
Roda
Related arms
Rodevariant spelling
Rohdvariant spelling
Brandesrecorded with Rohde, same area
Conringrecorded with Rohde, same area
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen, Personenstandsregister (Kirchenbücher) der Gemeinde Han, 1767
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
gauntletA challenge given and the readiness to meet it
gauntletA challenge given and the readiness to meet it
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
