A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bartosch family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9687 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'azur à un arc d'or, posé en fasce, la corde supp. trois flèches du même, une en pal accostée des deux autres en bande et en barre; le tout acc. en p. d'un croiss. versé et figuré d'arg., surmontant une étoile d'or. Cq. cour. C.: un croiss. montant et figuré d'arg., supp. une flèche d'or, posée en pal. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
PomeraniaPomerania, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Bartosch arms are recorded
The Bartosch arms were recorded in Pomerania, c. 1765.
Pomerania was flat farming country on the Baltic coast, held in large estates by a small number of families. They kept their land for generations, and generations of landholding is what fills the registers.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Bartosch arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Pomerania.
Origin & History of the Bartosch Family in Germany
The surname Bartosch is a variant of the name Bartolomäus, which was a popular choice across German-speaking lands during the Middle Ages. It originated as a short, affectionate form of the name Bartholomew, which carries the meaning of being the son of Talmai. By the time the family was firmly established in the region of Pomerania in 1765, the name had evolved into its distinct spelling through local dialects and regional naming customs. Families bearing this name in Pomerania were often part of the rural or artisan classes who lived through the complex political shifts of the Prussian era. Because Pomerania served as a crossroads for various cultural influences, the name reflects a blend of Slavic and Germanic linguistic roots that were common in the eastern territories of Germany. These early ancestors were likely farmers or tradespeople who helped shape the local community identity long before the modern era of standardized spelling.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
squirrelPatience and foresight in gathering
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un écureuil au nat., assis sur une terrasse de sin. Cq. cour. C.: l'écureuil.”
Polandc. 1772
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Map of Poland showing where the Bartosch arms are recorded
The Bartosch arms were recorded in Poland, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Mazovia.
Mazovia held Warsaw, the Polish court and the assemblies where the szlachta met. Poland's nobles were unusually numerous and every one of them bore arms, and Warsaw is where those arms were argued over and recorded.
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
Mazovia
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Bartosch Arms
Ennoblement by the Sejm
Author: Olek Remesz · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Poland in this period.
Stanisław August Poniatowski
Sovereign of the period
Stanisław August Poniatowski
1764–1795
Reigning in Germany when the Bartosch arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Poland
Polish noble families shared a single coat of arms across many different surnames, creating large clans rather than individual designs. These symbols were held collectively by all members of the clan regardless of their specific family name. When a new family joined the nobility, they were adopted into an existing clan and began using that group's established shield.
Granting authority
The Sejm, which was the Polish parliament, held the power to grant noble status and the right to bear arms.
How they got arms
Families typically received their coat of arms through a formal act of ennoblement granted by the Sejm for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Crown Metrica, which served as the central archive for state documents starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Poland.
Origin & History of the Bartosch Family in Poland
The surname Bartosch is a variation of the name Bartosz, which originated as a shortened form of the name Bartholomew. In the region of Mazovia, where the family was documented as early as 1772, the name often served as a way to identify individuals within rural agricultural communities. During this period, the Mazovian landscape was defined by small villages and a strong connection to the land. Families like the Bartosch line were typically part of the local social fabric, often working as independent farmers or skilled tradespeople. Because surnames were still evolving in many parts of Poland during the eighteenth century, the spelling of the name often shifted based on how a local clerk heard it spoken. The presence of the family in Mazovia at this time suggests they were well-established in the region long before official census records became standardized. This history reflects the broader movement of families across the Polish heartland as they built lives in the fertile plains surrounding the Vistula River.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
Colours
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)
“D'or ch. en p. d'une chouette au nat.; le champ cha[?]”
AustriaVienne, c. 1812
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Map of Austria showing where the Bartosch arms are recorded
The Bartosch arms were recorded in Vienne, c. 1812.
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
Vienne
Town
Vienne
First recorded
1812
Granting Authority for the Bartosch Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
1804–1835
Reigning in Germany when the Bartosch 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 Bartosch Family in Austria
The surname Bartosch carries deep roots within the cultural landscape of Central Europe, particularly as it established a presence in the city of Vienna by the early nineteenth century. The name is a variation of the name Bartholomew, which was a common choice for families across the Austrian Empire during this period. By 1812, records indicate that individuals bearing this name were integrated into the urban fabric of Vienna, a city that served as a bustling hub for trade and craftsmanship. As the Napoleonic era reshaped the borders and social structures of the region, families like the Bartoschs often moved toward growing administrative centers to find work in specialized trades or civil service. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of people who sought stability and opportunity in the capital during a time of significant political transition. The presence of the family in Vienna during this era suggests they were part of the hardworking middle class that helped sustain the city's growth throughout the nineteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bartholomaeus
Aramaic name meaning son of Talmai or son of the furrow.
This name
BartoschA Germanized Slavic diminutive form of the name Bartholomew, often indicating descent from someone named Bartholomew.
also spelled
Bartsh
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
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Landesarchiv Greifswald, Kirchenbücher der Provinz Pommern
Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preußischer Kulturbesitz, General-Direktorium, Ostpreußische und Pommersche Departements
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
squirrelPatience and foresight in gathering
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
