Map of Germany showing where the Sauer arms are recorded
The Sauer arms were recorded in Francfort s, c. 1765.
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 Sauer 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 Sauer Family in Germany
The surname Sauer is a classic German occupational and descriptive name that traces its roots back to the Middle Ages. In the German language, the word "sauer" translates to sour or tart, and it was originally used as a nickname for someone with a stern or grumpy personality. By the time your ancestors were documented in Frankfurt in 1765, the name had become a well-established family identifier throughout the German-speaking regions of Europe. During the eighteenth century, families in cities like Frankfurt often lived in tight-knit communities where names were passed down through generations to track lineage and social standing. Records from this period show that the Sauer family was part of a vibrant urban culture, likely contributing to the local trade and commerce that defined the city during the Enlightenment. As the family grew, they carried this name through various social changes, reflecting the history of a population that valued both their personal character and their deep roots in the German heartland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
sur
Middle High German term meaning sour, bitter, or harsh.
This name
SauerA descriptive nickname for a person with a sour, grumpy, or unpleasant disposition.
also spelled
Saur
Sower
Sour
Related arms
Saurvariant spelling
Grimmrecorded with Sauer, same area
Lindermanrecorded with Sauer, same area
Peckrecorded with Sauer, 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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
