A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ap family of Austria.
Reg. 2324 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec.: au 1 de sa. à l'aigle ép. d'or; aux 2 et 3 d'azur au lion d'or, cour. du même, tenant entre ses pattes un soleil aussi d'or, le lion du 3 cont.; au 4 de gu. à un mur crén. touchant les bords du quartier, sommé de trois tours, celle du milieu supérieure, le tout d'arg., soutenu d'une terrasse de sin. A la croix pattée d'or, br. sur les écartelures, ch. en coeur d'une rose de gu. Cq. cour. C.: le lion du 2, iss., entre un vol de sa. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Ap Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Ap arms are recorded
The Ap 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 Ap 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 Ap 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 Ap Family in Austria
The family name Ap traces its roots to the mountainous region of Tyrol, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1772. In this alpine environment, the name likely emerged as a shortened identifier or a localized shorthand used to distinguish specific households within small, tight-knit village communities. During the late 18th century, life in Tyrol was defined by agriculture and trade along vital mountain passes, which meant that families were often identified by their proximity to specific landmarks or their roles in the local economy. As the family established itself in these high-altitude settlements, the name became a permanent marker of their heritage and their connection to the rugged landscape of the Eastern Alps. This early history reflects the broader patterns of surname development in Central Europe, where short and distinct names were often adopted to simplify record-keeping in parish registers and tax documents.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Abba
Aramaic term meaning father or a respectful title for a leader.
This name
ApA patronymic surname derived from a shortened form of names like Abraham or Albert.
also spelled
Appe
Appp
Ap
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
