A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Baldauf family of Austria.
Reg. 0410 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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, d'azur au soleil figuré d'or, sur gu. au lion d'arg.; à la fasce d'arg., br. sur le coupé. Cq. cour. C.: le lion iss., tenant entre ses pattes le soleil. L.: à dextre d'or et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Baldauf Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Baldauf arms are recorded
The Baldauf 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 Baldauf 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 Baldauf 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 Baldauf Family in Austria
The surname Baldauf is a classic example of a German descriptive name that emerged during the Middle Ages. The name is composed of two parts: "bald," which means bold or brave, and "auf," which relates to being up or alert. Together, these terms likely described a person who was known for their courageous and vigilant nature. By the time members of the family were documented in the Tyrol region in 1772, they were already part of a long-standing tradition of families living in the Alpine territories. These early ancestors were often tied to the land, working as farmers or skilled tradespeople in the rugged mountain valleys. Over many generations, the family name became firmly established in these communities, reflecting the strong and resilient character of the people who lived in the high-altitude landscapes of the Austrian and Italian Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bald-auf
Bold or brave and up or upward.
This name
BaldaufA descriptive surname for a bold or courageous person who is ambitious.
also spelled
Baldauff
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, Die Siedlungsgeschichte des Tiroler Raumes, 1955
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
lionCourage, strength and royalty
