A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bihl family of Germany.
Reg. 9975 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 l'aigle ép. de sa. Cq. cour. C.: l'aigle.”
GermanyFrancfort s, c. 1765
Where the Bihl Arms Were Recorded
Francfort s
Map of Germany showing where the Bihl arms are recorded
The Bihl arms were recorded in Francfort s, c. 1765.
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 Bihl 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Bihl Family in Germany
The family name Bihl has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly within the area surrounding Frankfurt. By the mid-18th century, records confirm that members of the Bihl family were established residents of Frankfurt am Main. During this era, the city served as a major hub for trade and commerce, which likely influenced the family’s daily life and professional activities. The name itself is thought to be a topographical surname, which means it was often used to describe people who lived near a specific hill or a small rise in the landscape. As these individuals moved through the bustling streets of Frankfurt in 1765, they were part of a growing urban population that helped shape the local culture and economy of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bühel
A Middle High German term for a hill or mound.
This name
BihlA topographic name for someone who lived on or near a hill.
also spelled
Byhl
Biel
Beel
Related arms
Bielvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Institut für Stadtgeschichte Frankfurt am Main, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Frankfurt am Main
Kohlhammer, W., Die Einwohner von Frankfurt am Main im 18. Jahrhundert, 1985
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
