A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bohlen family of Germany.
Reg. 8733 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à trois grêliers d'or, l'embouchure à dextre. Cq. cour. C.: une tête et col de cheval au nat.”
GermanyBade, c. 1765
Where the Bohlen Arms Were Recorded
Bade
Map of Germany showing where the Bohlen arms are recorded
The Bohlen arms were recorded in Bade, 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 Bohlen 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 Bohlen Family in Germany
The family name Bohlen is rooted in the northern regions of Germany, specifically within the historic territory of Baden. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, living as part of a society deeply connected to the land and local trade. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Middle Low German word "bole," which referred to a plank or a wooden beam. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name may have been skilled woodworkers, carpenters, or individuals who lived near a prominent wooden structure or bridge. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local community, contributing to the agricultural and social development of the region throughout the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bolo
A Germanic root word meaning bold, brave, or strong.
This name
BohlenA patronymic surname derived from a short form of names containing the element bold.
also spelled
Bohln
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Generallandesarchiv Karlsruhe, Bestand 229: Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Kirchengemeinden in Baden, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
