A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Billick family of Germany.
Reg. 0148 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à la moitié supérieure d'une roue avec son essieu, d'arg. C.: un panache de plumes de coq de sa.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1765
Where the Billick Arms Were Recorded
Map of Germany showing where the Billick arms are recorded
The Billick arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1765.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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 Billick 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 Silesia.
Origin & History of the Billick Family in Germany
The family name Billick has deep roots in the historical region of Silesia, which was a crossroads of culture and trade in Central Europe. By 1765, records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this area, living during a time when the region was transitioning under the influence of the Prussian Empire. The name likely evolved from local linguistic patterns common to the borderlands between modern-day Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Families in this part of Silesia often worked in agriculture or skilled trades, contributing to the growth of rural villages and developing towns. Because the region was a frequent site of migration and shifting borders, the early Billick family members were part of a resilient population that adapted to changing political landscapes while maintaining their local identity for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bili
An ancient Germanic personal name derived from the word for sword.
This name
BillickA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Bili or Bill.
also spelled
Byllick
Billik
Related arms
Feustrizsimilar arms
Billichvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Knie, Johann Georg. Alphabetisch-statistisch-topographische Uebersicht der Dörfer, Flecken, Städte und anderen Orte der königlichen preußischen Provinz Schlesien. 1845
State Archive in Wrocław (Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu). Kataster fryderycjański (Friedrichskataster) für Schlesien. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
