Map of Germany showing where the Stream arms are recorded
The Stream arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought 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.
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 Stream 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 Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Stream Family in Germany
The family name Stream originates from the historical region of Westphalia in western Germany. During the mid-eighteenth century, the name was closely tied to the geography of the local landscape, as many surnames from this period were derived from the proximity of a family home to a specific water source or flowing brook. In 1765, records confirm that members of the family were established in this area, living within a society defined by agrarian traditions and small village communities. Life in Westphalia at this time was shaped by the influence of the Holy Roman Empire and local land management systems. Families often identified themselves by their relationship to the land, which suggests that the ancestors of the Stream family were likely settled near a prominent stream or river that served as a landmark for their community. This connection to the natural environment remained a defining feature of their identity as they navigated the social and economic shifts of eighteenth-century Germany.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur semé de bill. d'or; au lion d'arg., br. sur le tout.”
Francec. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Stream arms are recorded
The Stream arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Germany when the Stream arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Stream Family in France
The history of the Stream family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Bretagne during the seventeenth century. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this northwestern region, a time when the area was known for its distinct cultural identity and maritime traditions. The name likely evolved from local geographic markers, as families in this era often took surnames based on the natural features of their immediate surroundings, such as nearby water sources or coastal streams. Living in Bretagne meant that these early ancestors were part of a society shaped by both inland agriculture and the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the local parish registers, documenting their daily lives, marriages, and contributions to the community long before the modern era of standardized record-keeping.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Struma
A Germanic or Latin term referring to a flow or current.
This name
StreamA topographic name for someone who lived near a stream or brook.
also spelled
Stremie
Remy
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
lionCourage, strength and royalty
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
