A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bauernfeind family of Austria.
Reg. 5513 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Coupé d'un trait, parti de deux autres, qui font six quartiers: aux 1 et 6 d'or à l'aigle ép. de sa., chaque tête cour. du champ; aux 2 et 4 de ... au lion cour. de ..., tenant de ses pattes un faisceau des licteurs romains, le lion du 4 cont.; aux 3 et 5 d'arg. à la fasce d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'or. Trois cq. cour. C.: 1° le lion ramp. du 4; 2° un panache de trois pl. (d'azur?), ch. d'une étoile d'or; 3° l'aigle ép.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Bauernfeind Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Bauernfeind arms are recorded
The Bauernfeind 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 Bauernfeind 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 Bauernfeind 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 Bauernfeind Family in Austria
The surname Bauernfeind is a descriptive German name that carries a unique meaning rooted in the rural traditions of the Alpine region. The name is a compound word formed from "Bauer," meaning farmer, and "Feind," meaning enemy. This suggests that the original bearers of the name were likely independent farmers who were known for being stubborn, litigious, or perhaps resistant to the demands of local landlords or tax collectors. By the late 18th century, records confirm that families carrying this name were well-established in the mountainous landscapes of Tyrol. Living in these isolated valleys required a strong sense of self-reliance, and the name likely served as a badge of pride for those who stood their ground against outside pressure. Over time, the name became a permanent identifier for these families as they continued their agricultural way of life across the Austrian highlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bauer and Feind
Farmer and enemy or foe
This name
BauernfeindRefers to a farmer who was considered an enemy or a hostile neighbor.
also spelled
Bauernfynd
Bauernfeynd
Bawernfind
Bowerfind
Bowerfeind
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