Meisenheim

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

MEISENHEIM

State : Rheinland-Pfalz
District (Kreis) : Bad Kreuznach
Verbandsgemeinde : Verbandsgemeinde Meisenheim

Origin/meaning

The arms are a combination of the lion of the counts of Veldenz and a canting symbol (Meise=tit)

Meisenheim became a city in 1315. The city rights were granted by King Lüdwig of Bavaria. The town was owned since the 12^th century by the counts of Veldenz. The arms are based on the first seal of the town, dating from the 14^th century. It already showed the lion and the tit.

In the 18^th century other arms appeared on the seal of the town. These arms showed the lion over a cross-chequered field. The tit was places on an escutcheon. The arms thus reflected the fact that the counts of Veldenz were replaced by the Wittelsbach family in 1444 (see Veldenz). The arms of the Wittelsbach family are a cross-chequered filed of white and blue (see also the arms of Bavaria).

The old arms were restored in 1935.

The arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925

Literature : Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Angelsachsen Verlag, 1964-1971, 8 volumes.