A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bila family of Germany.
Reg. 3839 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
branchPeace, and new growth
axeThe execution of military duty
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 chicot d'or, en pal, accosté de deux haches adossées d'arg., emm. d'or. Cq. cour. C.: le chicot, entre un vol à l'antique d'azur (ou, un vol coupé alt. d'azur et d'arg.)”
GermanyThuringe, c. 1765
Where the Bila Arms Were Recorded
Thuringe
Map of Germany showing where the Bila arms are recorded
The Bila arms were recorded in Thuringe, 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 Bila 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 Bila Family in Germany
The family name Bila has deep roots in the region of Thuringia, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1765. During the eighteenth century, Thuringia was a collection of small states known for their focus on agriculture, forestry, and local craftsmanship. Families in this area often lived in small villages or towns where their last name was closely tied to their specific community or trade. As the Bila family settled into this environment, they became part of the social fabric of the region, likely participating in the local traditions and economic life of the German countryside. Over time, the name persisted through generations, reflecting the stability of families who remained in their ancestral home while the political landscape of central Europe shifted around them.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bili
An ancient Germanic root meaning bright, shining, or famous.
This name
BilaA topographic or habitational name derived from a bright or prominent location.
also spelled
Byla
Billa
Beela
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kahl, Wolfgang, Die Ersterwähnung Thüringer Städte und Dörfer: Ein Handbuch, 2010
Thüringisches Staatsarchiv Rudolstadt, Bestand: Kirchenbücher der Region Thüringen, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
branchPeace, and new growth
axeThe execution of military duty
branchPeace, and new growth
axeThe execution of military duty
