A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Adel family of Austria.
Reg. 7963 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 de sa. au lion léopardé d'or; au 2 d'or à une marque de marchand de sa., mouv. du flanc dextre, composé d'une fasce défaillante à sen., continuée en pal alésé, et une barre alésée aboutissant dans l'angle dudit meuble. Cq. cour. C.: un lion iss. d'or, cour. du même.”
StyriaStyria, c. 1772
Where the Adel Arms Were Recorded
Styria
Map of Austria showing where the Adel arms are recorded
The Adel arms were recorded in Styria, c. 1772.
Styria was mountain and forest country in southern Austria, with iron in its hills. Mining and landholding both made money, and families who held either kind of property took arms to seal their papers with.
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
Styria
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Adel 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 Austria when the Adel 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 Styria.
Origin & History of the Adel Family in Austria
The family name Adel carries a deep connection to the historical region of Styria, which is located in modern-day Austria. By the year 1772, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents in this area. During the eighteenth century, Styria was a significant part of the Habsburg Monarchy, and families living there were often deeply integrated into the local agricultural or trade-based economy. The name itself is derived from the German word for nobility or high status, though for many families, this name served as a descriptive term for their social standing or their role within the village community. As the family lived through the late eighteenth century, they would have experienced the major social and political reforms introduced by Empress Maria Theresa, which changed how families were tracked and taxed across the region. These early ancestors likely lived as farmers or skilled craftspeople who helped shape the rural landscape of the Styrian countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adal
Old High German word meaning noble or nobility.
This name
AdelA surname indicating a person of noble birth or high social standing.
also spelled
Adel
Adell
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
