Meinerzhagen

This page is part of the German heraldry portal Deutsche Wappensammlung	Heraldry of the World
German heraldry: National arms Arms of States Arms of historical territories and states Districts (Kreiswappen) Cities and municipalities German Colonies Ecclesiastical heraldry Military heraldry Corporate heraldry Studentika Other civic heraldry Total pages in the German section : 61,373 Of which images : 41,286	Selected collector's items from Germany: Heraldic postcards Heraldic stamps Heraldic albums Kaffee Hag albums Wappen-Sammlung Heraldic trade cards Arms, Flags and Types of Nations Heraldic coasters Heraldic cigar bands Heraldic artists Otto Hupp Münchener Kalender German heraldic literature

MEINERZHAGEN

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Märkischer Kreis (until 1969 Altena)
Amt : Amt Meinerzhagen (until 1969)
Additions : 1969 Valbert

Official blazon

(de)

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on June 14, 1975.

The arms combine elements of the former rulers in the region. The lion is taken from the arms of the Duchy of Berg, the chequered base from the arms of the Counts of the Mark, as the city was historically part of the County mark. The cross is taken from the Lords Von Badinghagen, who had several possessions in the former Amt Meinerzhagen. The horn is taken from the former arms of Valbert.

Meinerzhagen received in 1765 for the first time city rights, but no arms were granted or used at the time. However, in the middle of the 19^th century the city used a coat of arms, as shown on the local city hall. Although the arms were never officially granted, they were adopted by the city in colour in 1911 and were still mentioned in 1940 as city arms, see image below.

The arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925

The arms as shown in 1940

The arms show the local patron saint, St. Mary, and an image of a historical city gate (which probably never existed).

After the merger in 1969 there was much debate whether to officialise the old arms, to take the old arms of Amt Meinerzhagen or to design new arms. Eventually new arms were designed, but it took 6 years before the new arms were finally granted.