A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sohm family of Germany.
Reg. 9937 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
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 trèfle, mouv. d'un chicot en fasce, posé sur une terrasse, le tout de sin. Brl. d'arg. et de gu. C.: le trèfle et le chicot; entre deux prob., coupées alt. d'arg. et d'azur. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
GermanyHambourg, c. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Sohm arms are recorded
The Sohm arms were recorded in Hambourg, 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 Sohm 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 Sohm Family in Germany
The family name Sohm has deep roots in the northern German region, with documented evidence placing family members in the bustling port city of Hamburg by 1765. During the eighteenth century, Hamburg served as a vital center for international trade and commerce, which likely influenced the lives and occupations of early family members. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older Germanic terms, possibly linked to regional dialects or descriptive nicknames used to identify people in small communities. As the family established itself in a major urban hub, they likely participated in the city’s rapid growth as a gateway for global shipping and merchant activity. Over time, the Sohm name became part of the social fabric of the city, reflecting the movement and development of families living in one of Europe’s most important trade centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sohm
Derived from the Middle High German word for seam or border.
This name
SohmOriginally an occupational name for a tailor or someone living near a boundary.
also spelled
Sohm
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv Hamburg, Hamburger Passagierlisten, 1850–1934 (Note: While this archive contains later records, it holds the foundational civil and church registries for Hamburg residents dating back to the 1700s)
Zoder, Rudolf, Familiennamen in Ostfalen, 1968
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon, 1967
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
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
