Norderney

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen)

NORDERNEY

State : Niedersachsen
District (Kreis) : Aurich (until 1976 Norden)

Origin/meaning

Norderney is an island, which became a city in 1948. The arms show the island above the waves, with on top of the island the main beacon, the Kap. The beacon was built in the 1850s and immediately became the symbol for the island. The beacon was destroyed in 1870, but rebuilt at the same position. This happened again in the late 1920s, the present building, see image below, dates from 1930.

In 1924 the council decided to adopt a coat of arms for the island, previously the island had only used the Prussian eagle on its seals. In 1926 some designs were shown to the council, but these were all rejected. Later that year A local painter, Hans Trimborn, proposed the three designs shown below.

These designs were also rejected. Two of the designs showed the beacon, the third a fisherman. Finally, in 1928 a design which showed the beacon and three spurs (taken from the arms of the city of Norden) was adopted by the council. The spurs were later removed and the arms were officially granted on July 10, 1928.