Essen (Nordrhein-Westfalen)

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

ESSEN

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
Urban District (Stadtkreis) : Essen
Additions : 1901 Altendorf, Frohnhausen, Holsterhausen; 1905 Rüttenscheid; 1908 Huttrop; 1910 Bergerhausen, Fullerum, Rellinghausen; 1915 Altenessen; Bedingrade, Bergeborbeck, Bochold, Borbeck, Bredeny, Dellwig, Frintrop, Gerschede, Haarzopf, Margarethenhöhe, Schönebeck, Schuir; 1929 Byfang, Fischlaken, Freisenbruch, Frillendorf, Heidhausen, Heisingen, Horst, Karnap, Katernberg, Kray, Kupferdreh, Leithe, Schonnebeck, Steele (1926 Eiberg), Stoppenberg, Überruhr, Werden an der Ruhr (1915 Unterbredeney); 1970 Altendorf (Ruhr); 1974 Kettwig
Other arms in Essen : Essen-Stadtkern, Essen-Vogelheim

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted in 1886.

The arms of Essen are unique, as they show a two shields under a single crown. The original arms, a shield with a sword, are known since 1399, but were rarely used. The seal of the city, dating from the 1240s showed the Virgin Mary together with the patron saints of the city, St. Cosmas and Damianus. Later seals showed a single saint in a gate.

The great seal of Essen (source : Diederich, 1984)

In 1623 the German Emperor granted the city the right to use the Imperial Eagle. Normally the shield would be divided or the original arms were placed on the eagle (see f.e. Aalen or, in Holland, Nijmegen). This never officially happened in Essen, although sometimes both arms are combined in a single shield in books and maps. The crown indicates the foundation of the freedom of the monastery (with the rank of Prince) in 852.