A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beissel family of Germany.
Reg. 0713 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“D'arg. à la croix engr. de gu.; au lambel de sa. en chef, br. sur la croix. C.: un chapeau de tournoi de gu., retr. d'arg., supp. une canette au nat. au milieu d'une touffe de roseaux. L. de gu. et de sa.”
Germanyc. 1816
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Map of Germany showing where the Beissel arms are recorded
The Beissel arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1816.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in 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.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Beissel arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Beissel Family in Germany
The family name Beissel has deep roots in the southern German region of Bavaria, where records confirm members of the family were established by the early nineteenth century. The name is generally categorized as a topographic or occupational surname, likely originating from Middle High German terms related to specific locations or local trades. During the period around 1816, the Bavarian landscape was undergoing significant political and administrative shifts following the Napoleonic Wars. Families like the Beissels often lived in small agricultural or craft-based communities where surnames were becoming more permanent for tax and census purposes. By this time, the name was already well-integrated into the local social fabric, reflecting the steady movement and settlement patterns of families across the German states during the transition into the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beissel
Derived from the Middle High German word beis, meaning to bite.
This name
BeisselA nickname for a sharp-tongued, aggressive, or biting person.
also spelled
Beissel
Byseldijimnich
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv), General-Landes-Direktion-Akten
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1972
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
cross symbolChristian faith and service
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
