A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sonntag family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2916 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“d'arg. équipollés à quatre d'azur; le point d'arg. en coeur, en forme de surtout, ch. d'une aigle de sa.; les quatre points d'azur ch. chacune d'une fleur-de-lis d'or, dirigée vers les bords de l'écu. Cq. cour. C.: trois pl. d'aut.: d'azur, d'arg. et de sa. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
WurttembergWurttemberg, c. 1876
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Map of Germany showing where the Sonntag arms are recorded
The Sonntag arms were recorded in Wurttemberg, c. 1876.
Wurttemberg was southern German country of small estates and well-off market towns. Both landowners and leading townsmen kept arms there, so the region carries far more names than its size suggests.
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.
Wilhelm I
Sovereign of the period
Wilhelm I
1861–1888
Reigning in Germany when the Sonntag arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Wurttemberg.
Origin & History of the Sonntag Family in Germany
The surname Sonntag is a German occupational or descriptive name that translates literally to Sunday. In the cultural context of medieval Germany, such names were often given to individuals who were born on a Sunday or who were baptized on that day. Because Sunday was considered a holy and auspicious time, the name carried a positive connotation of good fortune. By the time records place the family in the region of Württemberg during the late 19th century, the name had been well-established across various German-speaking lands for generations. Families bearing this name were typically integrated into the local agricultural or trade communities, living through the significant social and political shifts that defined the German states before the unification of the country. The presence of the Sonntag family in Württemberg by 1876 reflects a long history of settlement in the southwestern part of Germany, where families often remained in the same rural districts for centuries, contributing to the local economy and regional traditions.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'azur à un tertre de sin., surm. d'un soleil d'or; à la bord. du même. C.: un soleil d'or, entre deux prob. d'arg. L. d'or et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Sonntag arms are recorded
The Sonntag arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Sonntag Family in Switzerland
The surname Sonntag, which translates literally to "Sunday," carries deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland. While the name is often associated with the day of the week, it was frequently bestowed upon individuals born on a Sunday or those who held specific duties or obligations on that day during the Middle Ages. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Bâle. Records confirm that members of the Sonntag family were living and working in this bustling trade hub by 1745. During this era, Bâle served as a vital center for commerce and craftsmanship, and families like the Sonntags were often integrated into the local guild systems that defined Swiss urban life. Their residency in such a prominent city suggests they were active participants in the social and economic development of the region during the transition into the modern age.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sunnandag
Old High German term for the first day of the week.
This name
SonntagA surname traditionally given to a child born on a Sunday.
also spelled
Sontag
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
Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg, Bestand E 151: Württembergisches Statistisches Landesamt, 1876
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
