A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Theodore family of Germany.
Reg. 5634 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
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)
“D'azur à un croiss. d'or en p., surm. de trois étoiles mal-ordonnées du même, dont deux soutenues des cornes du croiss. C.: les meubles de l'écu, entre deux prob. coupées d'or sur azur.”
GermanySpire, 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 Theodore arms are recorded
The Theodore arms were recorded in Spire, 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 Theodore 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 Theodore Family in Germany
The name Theodore originates from the Greek words "theos," meaning god, and "doron," meaning gift. While the name was popular among early Christians as a way to honor their faith, it eventually spread across Europe as a given name. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family was established in the city of Speyer, which is located in the modern-day German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Records indicate that family members were living in this historic city by 1765. During this period, Speyer was a significant center for trade and administration within the Holy Roman Empire. Families living in such urban hubs often held roles in local craft guilds or civic service, which helped them integrate into the growing middle class of the region. Over time, the name transitioned from a personal identifier into a stable family surname as record-keeping practices became more formal across German-speaking lands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Theodoros
Derived from the Greek words for god and gift.
This name
TheodoreA name of Greek origin signifying a gift from the divine.
also spelled
Teodor
Theodore
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bruckner, A., Speyer: Geschichte der Stadt, 1975
Stadtarchiv Speyer, Bürgeraufnahmen und Zunftrollen der Stadt Speyer, 1760-1770
Bahlow, H., Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
