A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Stoker family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2013 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Tranché: au 1 de sa. à un griffon d'or, tenant un chicot au nat. en pal; au 2 barré d'arg. et de gu. Cq. cour. C.: le griffon, iss., entre deux prob. coupées, à dextre d'arg. sur gu., à sen. d'or sur gu. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Stoker arms are recorded
The Stoker arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
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 Stoker 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 Stoker Family in Germany
The surname Stoker finds its roots in the German language as an occupational name derived from the word *Stocker*. In the historical context of Bavaria, this term originally described a person who worked with wood, such as a woodcutter or a maker of wooden stocks. By the mid-18th century, families bearing this name were well-established within the rural landscapes of southern Germany. Records from 1765 confirm that the family was active in the Bavarian region during a time of significant agricultural transition. As members of the working class, these early ancestors were likely deeply connected to the local forestry and farming industries that defined the Bavarian economy. Their presence in the region reflects a long history of craftsmanship and community involvement that helped shape the social fabric of their local villages.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'or à une aigle ess. de sa., posée sur un chicot du même en fasce. C.: un griffon iss. de sa., bq. et onglé d'or.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Stoker arms are recorded
The Stoker arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Stoker Family in Switzerland
The family name Stoker has deep roots in the Swiss canton of Bern, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1745. During this period, the name was closely tied to the social and economic structure of the region, often reflecting the occupations or the specific geographic locations where the family resided. In the eighteenth century, Bern was a powerful city-state, and families living there were typically integrated into the local guild systems or agricultural communities. As the Stoker family navigated life in this mountainous landscape, they likely participated in the local traditions and civic duties that defined Bernese society. Their presence in official documents from the mid-1700s suggests that they were recognized members of the community who contributed to the stability and growth of the region during a time of significant political and social change in Switzerland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Stok
A Middle High German term referring to a tree trunk or post.
This name
StokerAn occupational name for a person who worked with wood, such as a woodcutter or a stoker.
also spelled
Stoker
Stokker
Stockar
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
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
