A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Biel family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2992 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
axeThe execution of military duty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'azur à une hache d'or, posée en bande. Cq. cour. C.: trois pl. d'aut. d'arg. D.: PROPOSITI TENAX.”
MecklenburgBrunswick · Mecklenburg, c. 1791
Where the Biel Arms Were Recorded
Mecklenburg
Map of Germany showing where the Biel arms are recorded
The Biel arms were recorded in Mecklenburg, c. 1791.
Mecklenburg was farming country in the north of Germany, held by a small number of families who kept their estates for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so a great many Mecklenburg names ended up 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.
Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor
1790–1792
Reigning in Germany when the Biel 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 Mecklenburg.
Origin & History of the Biel Family in Germany
The family name Biel has deep roots in the northern regions of Germany, particularly within the historic state of Mecklenburg. During the late 18th century, the name was already well-established in this area, as evidenced by records confirming family members were living there by 1791. The name itself is thought to be topographic in origin, likely derived from the Middle Low German word "biel," which refers to a small axe or a tool used in forestry and carpentry. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were likely skilled laborers or tradespeople who lived near wooded areas or worked in the timber industry. Over generations, the family became integrated into the local social fabric of Mecklenburg, moving from these early trade-based origins into the broader administrative and agricultural life of the region. By the time the 1791 records were created, the Biel family was a recognized part of the local community, reflecting the steady growth and movement of families across the German landscape during the Enlightenment era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à la fasce écartelée de sa. et d'arg. C.: un demi-vol, aux armes de l'écu.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Biel Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Biel arms are recorded
The Biel arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Biel Family in Switzerland
The family name Biel has deep roots in the Swiss region, with historical records confirming that members of the family were established residents of Bern by 1745. During this era, Bern was a powerful city-state where families often identified themselves through their local trade, their religious affiliations, or the specific neighborhoods where they resided. The name itself likely originated as a topographic descriptor, referring to individuals who lived near or originated from the town of Biel, which is known in French as Bienne. As the family settled into the social fabric of Bern, they became part of the complex system of citizenship that defined Swiss life in the eighteenth century. By maintaining a presence in the city, the Biel family participated in the civic duties and local governance that characterized the Swiss cantons during this period of growth and stability.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Biel
Derived from the Middle High German word for an axe or hatchet.
This name
BielAn occupational surname for a woodcutter or a maker of axes.
also spelled
Byel
Beel
Related arms
Bihlvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Landeshauptarchiv Schwerin, Kirchenbücher der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Landeskirche Mecklenburgs
Books: Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Books: Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: 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.
axeThe execution of military duty
axeThe execution of military duty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
