The Arms of Christopher Allan Altnau, Registered June 15th, 2020 with I.S.C.H.

Blazon

    Vert
Chief Argent
In Chief 3 Gillyflowers smaller lower Azure
In Dexter Base A Scythe very much larger larger larger
 larger higher higher higher higher higher higher higher
 very much to the sinister Fesswise Argent
In Sinister Base A Scythe very much larger larger
 larger larger higher higher higher higher higher higher
 higher very much to the dexter Inverted Fesswise Argent
Mantling Argent and Vert An Esquires Helmet Steel
A Torse Argent and Vert
Crest a Swan Displayed slightly higher higher to the
 sinister Argent Beaked Or legged Or on a Rose Gules
 Barbed Vert
Motto "EX ANTIQUIS PRATIS"
# Meaning of motto: "From the ancient meadows," the
 literal meaning of the name ALTENAU.

(Previously entry no. 8017)

With Tags: #ISCH #Altnau

To reproduce this image exactly you need to set your preferences to:

Warhammer Colours

Enabled

Named Web Colours

Enabled

Shield Shape

sca

Visual Appearance

none

Palette For Heraldic Tinctures

drawshield

Aspect Ratio

0.5

Notes

SURNAME MEANING: In the heraldic tradition, many families take their surname from the name of the lands or the region in which their earliest known ancestors originated. In the German language, many place names end with the suffix of –au, which signifies a flat, low-lying area near a river, i.e., a meadow. The German word, “alten,” means ancient, thus, when this word and this ending are combined, the surname comes to mean “ancient meadow.” This meaning seems very fitting, given that much of the Altenau ancestral lineage is made up of farmers.

The Altenau family members for whom we have verified records lived in the Kingdom of Prussia, Province of Posen, Kreis (County) of Kolmar, Township of Brodden, verifiably as far back as 1861, but possibly as far back as the mid 1790’s (these relations cannot yet be proven, however.) Those old, Prussian records show the spelling of our family name as Altenau. It was only after the family’s immigration to the United States that the spelling changed to “Altnau.” The reason for this change in spelling is not certain, although it has been surmised that the error was perhaps due to a clerical oversight, committed by an employee at either the port of entry, or in the office of naturalization. In those days of hand-written records, such mistakes were quite common.

SYMBOLISM (COAT OF ARMS): For the coat of arms, the green field symbolizes the “ancient meadow,” referred to by the surname of Altenau, i.e., the Altenau family’s ancestral homelands. The two, silver, crossed scythes refer to a sense of reverence and respect for the agricultural and farming legacy of the Altenau family. The fact that the scythes are crossed (“in saltire”) also symbolizes the cross of Saint Andrew, a sign of strong, Christian faith. The three, blue cornflowers represent the Altenau family’s Prussian heritage; the cornflower was the national flower of the Kingdom of Prussia. The silver stripe at the top of the shield represents peace and sincerity, two core tenets which are intrinsic to the profession of farming. Traditionally, the color green is indicative of hope, joy, and a deep loyalty to one’s family; this color scheme was chosen because it embodies the ideals and principles upon which the Altenau family was founded. The coat of arms does not change through the act of being inherited. It remains constant.

SYMBOLISM (CREST): In the Germanic tradition, family coats of arms are differentiated among different branches of the family by means of altering the crest. The main arms of the shield remain unchanged, as mentioned above. This particular crest represents Christopher Allan Altnau, his wife, and all of their direct descendants. The helm bears two charges atop the wreath: a rose, and a swan. The rose is a symbol of American Patriotism; it is the national flower of the United States of America. The swan represents poetic harmony and learning, and a love of learning, which is indicative of Christopher’s “learned profession,” i.e., the profession of academic librarianship.

BLAZON: A Blazon is a verbal description, using specifically chosen terminology from the French language, to indicate the color scheme of the armorial achievement, as well as the layout and placement of charges. The Blazon for these arms are: Vert, two Scythes in Saltire Argent; on a Chief Argent three Cornflowers Azure, seeded Argent, for crest On a Helm with a Wreath Argent and Vert, a Swan displayed proper in front of a Rose Gules, barbed Vert, for mantling Vert doubled Argent, and for motto, “Ex Antiquis Pratis.”

MEANING OF MOTTO: The Latin motto, “Ex Antiquis Pratis,” means: “From the ancient meadows,” which is literally the meaning of the Altenau surname.

EMBLAZONMENT: While the Blazon is the verbal description of the armorial achievement, the Emblazonment is the actual artistic rendering of it. The achievement was professionally rendered for the armiger by Jonathan Taylor Sneddon, of the great state of Washington.

If you would like to modify this blazon and see the effects Show on Create Page .

If you have some helpful feedback or would like to comment on this shield design please click on the button below. Your comment will be moderated and added to this page.