A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abele family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1397 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Tiercé en fasce: au 1 d'or à l'aigle de sa., bq. et m. du champ; au 2 d'azur au soleil d'or; au 3 de gu. à deux plumes à écrire d'arg., passées en saut., les becs en bas. Cq. cour. C.: l'aigle. L. d'or et de sa.”
WurttembergWurttemberg, c. 1814
Where the Abele Arms Were Recorded
Wurttemberg
Map of Germany showing where the Abele arms are recorded
The Abele arms were recorded in Wurttemberg, c. 1814.
Wurttemberg was southern German country of small estates and well-off market towns. Both landowners and leading townsmen kept arms there, so the region carries far more names than its size suggests.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Abele arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Wurttemberg.
Origin & History of the Abele Family in Germany
The family name Abele has deep roots in the southwestern region of Germany, particularly within the historical territory of Württemberg. The name is derived from the Middle High German word for an apple tree, which suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or orchard keepers who lived near a prominent tree or an apple grove. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established members of the local community in Württemberg. During this period, the region was undergoing significant social and political changes as it transitioned into a kingdom. Families like the Abeles were typically part of the rural middle class, contributing to the agricultural and craft-based economy that defined the Swabian landscape. Their presence in local parish registers from 1814 highlights a long-standing connection to the land and the traditions of their home province.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à la fleur-de-lis d'arg. C.: la fleur-de-lis, entre deux prob. de sa.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Abele Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Abele arms are recorded
The Abele arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Abele Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Abele arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Abele Family in Austria
The family name Abele has deep roots in the mountainous landscape of Tyrol, where members of the family were documented as early as 1772. During this period, Tyrol was a significant region within the Habsburg Monarchy, serving as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between the German-speaking lands and Italy. Families living in this alpine environment often relied on agriculture, forestry, or specialized crafts to sustain themselves in the rugged terrain. The name itself is thought to be a variation of names derived from the biblical Abel or related to local occupational descriptions common in the region. As the family established their presence in the late 18th century, they became part of the long-standing social fabric of the Austrian Alps, contributing to the local communities that defined the history of the Tyrol province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Abel
Derived from the Hebrew word for breath or vapor.
This name
AbeleA patronymic surname indicating a descendant of a person named Abel.
also spelled
Abelle
Abely
Abel
Related arms
Abelvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Kuhn, Walter, Geschichte der deutschen Sprachinseln, 1955
Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Kirchengemeinden in Württemberg, 1814
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
