A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the von Tann family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1880 · German, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pine coneLife and fertility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
What the shield shows
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois pommes de pin d'or, les queues en bas. C.: un pin de sin., fruité d'or.”
SwabiaSwabia, c. 1765
Where the von Tann Arms Were Recorded
Swabia
Map of Germany showing where the von Tann arms are recorded
The von Tann arms were recorded in Swabia, c. 1765.
Swabia was broken into a great many small territories in southern Germany, and each had its own landowners and its own leading townsmen. That fragmentation produced an unusual number of families with 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 von Tann 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 Swabia.
Origin & History of the von Tann Family in Germany
The history of the von Tann family is deeply rooted in the Swabian region of Germany. By the year 1765, records confirm that family members were well established within this area. The name itself suggests a historical connection to the landscape, as the term often relates to fir trees or wooded highlands common in southern Germany. During this era, families with such names were frequently tied to the local land and agricultural management.
These early ancestors played a quiet but steady role in the development of their rural communities. They lived through a time of significant social change as the region transitioned toward modern governance. Their presence in Swabia highlights a long tradition of regional stability and local heritage.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
Cow Head
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
What the shield shows
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à une tête et col de vache de sa. C.: le meuble de l'écu.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the von Tann Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the von Tann arms are recorded
The von Tann 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 von Tann Family in Switzerland
The von Tann family name carries a long history rooted in the alpine landscapes of Switzerland. By 1745, records confirm that family members were established residents of Bern. During this era, Bern was a powerful city-state where families often gained status through trade, craftsmanship, or service to the local government. The name itself suggests a connection to the fir trees that cover the surrounding hillsides. This indicates that their ancestors likely lived near dense forests or worked in the timber industry.
These early settlers integrated into the social fabric of the region by building stable lives in the city. They participated in the local economy and helped shape the community during the eighteenth century. Their presence reflects the broader migration patterns of families seeking stability within the Swiss cantons.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Tanne
A German word referring to the fir tree.
This name
von TannIndicates a family originating from a location characterized by fir trees.
also spelled
Vontan
Tann
von Tan
Tan
Related arms
Tannvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatliches Archiv Sigmaringen, Bestand Dep. 38 (Tann family records)
Bader, Karl S., Der deutsche Südwesten in seiner territorialstaatlichen Entwicklung, 1950
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