A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Schlenker family of Germany.
Reg. 0714 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un palmier de sin., mouv. d'une champagne du même. Cq. cour. C.: un avant-bras, en pal, paré de gu., la main d'arg. tenant une palme de sin.”
GermanyGiessen, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Schlenker arms are recorded
The Schlenker arms were recorded in Giessen, 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 Schlenker 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 Schlenker Family in Germany
The surname Schlenker originates from the German language and is rooted in the Middle High German word "schlenken," which describes a person who walks with a swaying or swinging gait. Historically, this name likely began as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor who possessed a distinct way of moving. By the mid-18th century, the family was well-established in the region of Giessen, Germany. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the Schlenker family were active participants in the local community during this period. As the family grew, they became part of the social and economic fabric of the Hessian landscape, contributing to the local trades and daily life of the town. This name remains a reflection of the linguistic traditions of the region, where nicknames based on physical traits often evolved into permanent family identifiers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
schlenkern
To swing, dangle, or move in a swaying, unsteady manner.
This name
SchlenkerA nickname for a person who walked with a swaying or unsteady gait.
also spelled
Shlenk
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
Hessisches Staatsarchiv Marburg, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Gießen, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
