Witten

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

WITTEN

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Ennepe-Ruhr Kreis (until 1975 Witten Urban District (Kreisfreie Stadt))
Additions : 1921 Heven; 1929 Annen (1922 Rüdinghausen), Düren, Stockum; 1975 Herbede (1926 Durchholz, Ostherbede, Vormholz, Westherbede; 1970 Buchholz)

Origin/meaning

The arms were adopted by the city in 1883 and formally granted in 1911 by King Wilhelm II of Preussen.

The arms are based on the oldest known arms of Lord Everhard of Witten-Steinhausen from 1283. His descendants ruled the village as vassals for the Emperor until 1806. The seal already shows the two lions and an empty lower half of the shield. All branches of the family have used these arms onwards.

As Witten received city rights only in 1823, there are no old seals or arms for the village known. The arms were officially granted by a mural crown in 1883 and on November 6, 1911, but this crown is no longer used.