A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Verna family of Germany.
Reg. 5137 · German, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Taillé: au 1 d'arg. à une tête et col de coq de sa., crêtée et barbée de gu., mouv. du taillé; au 2 d'azur à une rose de gu., bout. et barbée d'or. Brl. de gu. et d'arg. C.: la tête et col de coq. L.: d'arg. et d'azur.”
HesseHesse, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Verna arms are recorded
The Verna arms were recorded in Hesse, c. 1765.
Hesse was central German country, divided among a large number of small landowners and prosperous towns. So many separate households held ground there that the region produced an unusual number of coats of 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 Verna 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 Hesse.
Origin & History of the Verna Family in Germany
The family name Verna has deep roots in the region of Hesse, Germany, where records confirm members of the family were living by 1765. The name likely originated as a topographic or habitational surname, which was a common way for people in the eighteenth century to identify themselves based on the land they worked or the specific village they called home. During this period, Hesse was a collection of territories known for its dense forests and agricultural communities. Families like the Vernas were often tied to the local economy through farming, trade, or specialized craftsmanship. As the population moved through the German states, the name remained a marker of their ancestral connection to the Hessian landscape. By maintaining their presence in this region, the early Verna family members helped establish a lasting legacy that persisted through generations of social and political change in Central Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vernus
Latin term meaning spring or belonging to the spring season.
This name
VernaDerived from the Latin word for spring, often used to describe someone born during that time.
also spelled
Vernah
Vernas
Vern
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Hessisches Staatsarchiv Marburg, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Pfarreien in Hessen (1765)
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt (1967)
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung (1971)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
