A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Shreve family of Germany.
Reg. 2139 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à deux bandes d'azur; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à trois étoiles mal-ordonnées d'or. Cq. cour. C.: un cygne iss. d'arg., le vol levé, entre un vol coupé, à dextre d'arg. sur azur, à sen. de gu. sur or. L. conformes aux émaux du vol.”
Germanyc. 1755
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Map of Germany showing where the Shreve arms are recorded
The Shreve arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1755.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Shreve 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 Shreve Family in Germany
The family name Shreve is an anglicized version of the German surname Schreve, which has deep roots in the historical region of Bavaria. By the mid-eighteenth century, family members were well-established in this area, living during a time when the region was defined by agricultural traditions and local craftsmanship. The name itself is thought to be linked to the Middle High German word "schreve," which was historically associated with individuals who held administrative or oversight roles within a community. As the family grew, they navigated the complex social and political landscape of the Holy Roman Empire. Many individuals with this name eventually sought new opportunities by migrating across the Atlantic, where the spelling was adapted to fit the phonetic patterns of the English language. This transition marked the beginning of the family’s long history in North America, where they integrated into the developing colonial society while maintaining their connection to their European heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schrewe
A Middle Low German term for a sheriff or administrative official.
This name
ShreveAn occupational surname for a person who served as a local magistrate or sheriff.
also spelled
Schreb
Shreeb
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
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kurbayern Hofkammer: Steuer- und Rechnungsunterlagen, 1755
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
