A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Unruh family of Germany.
Reg. 5906 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à la demi-aigle d'arg., cour. d'or, mouv. du parti; aux 2 et 3 parti de gu. et de sa. Sur le tout d'Unruh, qui est d'or au lion de gu. Trois cq. cour. C.: 1° une aigle d'arg., cour. d'or; 2° trois pl. d'aut., une d'or entre deux de gu. (Unruh); 3° un dé marqué de cinq points, entre deux prob., de sa. et de gu. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. de gu. et de sa. S.: deux lions reg. au nat.”
Germanyc. 1745
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Map of Germany showing where the Unruh arms are recorded
The Unruh arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1745.
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.
Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor
1742–1745
Reigning in Germany when the Unruh 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 Unruh Family in Germany
The surname Unruh has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, with historical records placing members of the family in Bavaria by 1745. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German word "unruowe," which translates to restlessness or lack of peace. In the context of the Middle Ages, this term was often used as a nickname for someone who was energetic, impatient, or perhaps a bit of a troublemaker. As surnames became more common in German villages, this descriptive nickname evolved into a permanent family name passed down through generations. By the mid-18th century, families carrying this name were well-established in the Bavarian landscape, where they likely worked as farmers, craftsmen, or tradespeople within their local communities. The name reflects a long history of individuals who were defined by their active nature and their presence in the social fabric of early modern Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
unruow
Old High German word meaning unrest or disturbance.
This name
UnruhA nickname for a restless, agitated, or turbulent person.
also spelled
Unru
Unrue
Unroo
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
