A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abely family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3557 · 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 Abely Arms Were Recorded
Wurttemberg
Map of Germany showing where the Abely arms are recorded
The Abely 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 Abely 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 Abely Family in Germany
The history of the Abely family in Germany is deeply rooted in the southwestern region of Württemberg, where records confirm their presence by at least 1814. During this era, the region was undergoing significant political change as it transitioned into the Kingdom of Württemberg under the influence of the Napoleonic Wars. Families like the Abelys were often part of a growing class of citizens who lived in rural or semi-urban communities, likely working as skilled tradespeople or farmers who contributed to the local economy. Because the name is relatively rare, it suggests that the family likely maintained a localized identity within their specific village or district for several generations. By the early 19th century, the family would have been subject to new civil registration laws that required more formal documentation of births, marriages, and deaths. This shift helped solidify their place in the official records of the region and provides a clear starting point for tracing their movement through the changing landscape of German history.
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 Abely Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Abely arms are recorded
The Abely 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 Abely 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 Abely 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 Abely Family in Austria
The family name Abely has deep roots in the mountainous region of Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were living by 1772. During the late eighteenth century, Tyrol was a vital part of the Habsburg Monarchy, and families in this area often played key roles in the local agricultural and trade networks of the Alps. The name likely developed as a variation of regional naming customs, reflecting the unique linguistic blend of German and Romance influences found in the borderlands of the Austrian Empire. As residents of a rugged landscape, the early Abely family members were likely involved in the traditional mountain economy, which relied on livestock, timber, and the seasonal movement of goods through high-altitude mountain passes. By settling in this region, the family became part of the enduring cultural fabric of Tyrol, contributing to the history of a community defined by its resilience and its strategic position at the heart of Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Abel
Derived from the Hebrew name Hevel meaning breath or vapor.
This name
AbelyA patronymic surname indicating descent from an ancestor named Abel.
also spelled
Abelle
Abely
Abel
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Kirchengemeinden in Württemberg, 1814
Statistisches Landesamt Baden-Württemberg, Historische Einwohnerverzeichnisse des Königreichs 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
