A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rotter family of Germany.
Reg. 6324 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à la bande d'arg., ch. d'un lion léopardé du champ, et acc. en chef d'un chicot au nat., posé en bande, poussant des feuilles de sin. à sen., et en p. de trois étoiles du sec., rangées en bande. Cq. cour. C.: une clé d'or; entre deux prob., coupées alt. d'arg. et de gu.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1837
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Map of Germany showing where the Rotter arms are recorded
The Rotter arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1837.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Rotter arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Silesia.
Origin & History of the Rotter Family in Germany
The surname Rotter is primarily rooted in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, where it functioned as a descriptive name for its earliest bearers. Linguistically, the name is derived from the Middle High German word "rot," which refers to the color red. It was often used as a nickname for a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion. By the early 19th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historical region of Silesia. Records confirm that members of the Rotter family were living in this area by 1837, likely working within the agricultural or trade sectors that defined the local economy at the time. As the family moved and settled across different towns, the name became a permanent marker of their lineage, reflecting a history tied to the shifting borders and cultural traditions of the Prussian and Austrian territories.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
rot
A German word meaning red or referring to cleared land.
This name
RotterAn occupational name for someone who lived on cleared forest land or a nickname for a redhead.
also spelled
Rodher
Rotter
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
State Archive in Wrocław (Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu), Civil Registration Records (Akta stanu cywilnego), 1837
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
