A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Schutter family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5710 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé d'or sur azur ; à une tête et col de paon au nat., mouv. d'une couronne d'or, br. sur le coupé. Cq. cour. C.: un paon rouant au nat., cont. L. d'or et d'azur.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1570
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Map of Germany showing where the Schutter arms are recorded
The Schutter arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1570.
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.
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
1564–1576
Reigning in Germany when the Schutter 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 Schutter Family in Germany
The surname Schutter originates from the German language and is rooted in the occupational history of the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "schutten," which refers to a person who worked as a marksman, a guard, or someone responsible for managing water sluices. By the year 1570, historical records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the region of Bavaria. During this era, life in Bavaria was heavily influenced by the transition from feudal agricultural systems to more organized town life. Families like the Schutters often lived in rural areas where they served as local protectors or managed the flow of irrigation and mill streams. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of southern Germany, contributing to the local economy and community life through these essential trades. Their presence in the Bavarian records from the sixteenth century highlights a long-standing history of service and craftsmanship within the German landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Parti: au 1 d'arg. à la demi-aigle de sa., mouv. du parti; au 2 d'azur à un homme tenant arc et flèche de sa main dextre. C.: un faisceau de trois flèches.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Schutter arms are recorded
The Schutter arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry arms.
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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Schutter Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Schutter arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Schutter Family in Netherlands
The surname Schutter originates from the Middle Dutch word for a marksman or a member of a local militia. In the medieval period, towns across the Netherlands relied on these citizen guards, known as the schutterij, to protect their walls and maintain public order. Families who held this name were often associated with these groups of archers or musketeers who served as the backbone of community defense. By the time the name appears in the official civil records of Friesland in 1815, it was already well-established as a surname passed down through generations. This transition from a professional title to a permanent family name reflects the way many Dutch families adopted identifiers based on the roles their ancestors played in local civic life. The presence of the Schutter family in the northern provinces during the early nineteenth century highlights their integration into the evolving social structure of the region as the Netherlands transitioned into a modern kingdom.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
schützen
To protect, guard, or shoot.
This name
SchutterAn occupational surname for an archer, marksman, or a village watchman.
also spelled
Schuttere
Schutters
Schutterer
Shuter
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 Familiennamen, geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
knightChivalry and service in arms
