Map of Germany showing where the Wegner arms are recorded
The Wegner arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1635.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often 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.
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
1619–1637
Reigning in Germany when the Wegner 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 Saxony.
Origin & History of the Wegner Family in Germany
The name Wegner is a classic occupational surname that emerged in the German-speaking regions of Europe during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Middle High German word "wegenere," which referred to a wagoner or a person who transported goods using a horse-drawn cart. Because trade and transportation were vital to the growth of early German towns, people who performed this service were essential members of their communities. By 1635, records confirm that the Wegner family was well-established in the region of Saxony. This period was a difficult time in German history due to the ongoing Thirty Years' War, which caused significant social upheaval and migration. Despite these challenges, families like the Wegners maintained their presence in the Saxon countryside, likely working in agriculture or local commerce as they adapted to the changing landscape of the seventeenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 une balance d'or, le plateau sen. abaissé et le plateau dextre élevé. C.: une femme iss., hab. d'azur au corsage d'or, les bras nus, tenant de sa main dextre la balance de l'écu, la sen. appuyée sur sa hanche.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Wegner arms are recorded
The Wegner arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Wegner Family in Switzerland
The family name Wegner is rooted in the Germanic linguistic tradition, where it functioned as an occupational surname derived from the word for a wagoner or a carrier of goods. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the city of Basel, a major center for trade and intellectual exchange in Switzerland. Records confirm that members of the Wegner family were active in Basel by 1745, likely drawn to the city by its reputation as a hub for commerce along the Rhine River. As wagoners, these early ancestors played a vital role in the regional economy by transporting essential supplies between the Swiss cantons and neighboring territories. Over time, the family integrated into the local urban culture, transitioning from their initial roles as transport specialists into the broader social fabric of the city. Their presence in Basel during this period reflects the movement of skilled workers across German-speaking lands during the Enlightenment era.
Wegner Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wagen
A vehicle used for transporting goods or people.
This name
WegnerAn occupational surname for a wagon maker or a driver of a wagon.
also spelled
Wegener
Wegnar
Wagner
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
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, Kirchenbücher der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Landeskirche Sachsens, 1635
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
