Coat of Arms & Family Crests Store
  Cruger Family Crest / Cruger Coat of ArmsThis surname CRUGER was a German occupational name for a seller or maker of mugs, jugs and pitchers, originally derived from the Old German KRUOG. Medieval jugs and pitchers were made of leather and metals such as pewter, as well as of earthenware. It was also a name for 'the publican or keeper of an Inn'. Occupational surnames originally denoted the actual occupation followed by the individual. At what period they became hereditary is a difficult problem. Many of the occupation names were descriptive and could be varied. In the Middle Ages, at least among the Christian population, people did not usually pursue specialized occupations exclusively to the extent that we do today, and they would, in fact, turn their hand to any form of work that needed to be done, particularly in a large house or mansion, or on farms and smallholdings. In early documents, surnames often refer to the actual holder of an office, whether the church or state. A notable person of the name was Paul Kruger (1825-1904) he was an African politician, born in Colesberg in Cape Colony. With his fellow-Boers he trekked to Natal, the Orange Free state, and the Transvaal, and won such a reputation for cleverness, coolness, and courage that in the war against Britain (1881), he was appointed head of the provisional government. In 1883 he was elected president of the Transvaal or South African Republic, and again in 1888, 1893 and 1898. 'Oom Paul' was the soul of the policy that issued in the war of 1899-1902; he showed consummate resolution and energy, but after the tide had turned against Europe to seek alliances against Britain. He made his headquarters at Utrecht, and hence issued The Memoirs of Paul Kruger, told by himself (1902) It has long been a matter of doubt when the bearing of coats of arms first became hereditary and it was not until the Crusades that Heraldry came into general use. Men went into battle heavily armed and were difficult to recognise. It became the custom for them to adorn their helmets with distinctive crests, and to paint their shields with animals and the like. Coats of arms accompanied the development of surnames, becoming hereditary in the same way. The associated arms are recorded in Rietstaps Armorial General. Registered in Germany. |
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