Map of Germany showing where the Brazel arms are recorded
The Brazel arms were recorded in Windsheim Bav, 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 Brazel 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 Brazel Family in Germany
The family name Brazel finds its historical roots in the region of Franconia, located in modern-day Germany. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the family were established residents of Windsheim, which was then a Free Imperial City known for its strong trade guilds and local governance. During this period, families in the area often identified themselves through their specific crafts or their connection to the local land. The name likely evolved from regional dialects, reflecting the linguistic shifts common in the Holy Roman Empire during the eighteenth century. As residents of a Free Imperial City, the early Brazels would have lived under a unique legal status that granted them certain protections and responsibilities within the town walls. This environment allowed families to maintain stability and contribute to the civic life of Windsheim for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bras
Old French term for arm or a measurement of length.
This name
BrazelOccupational name for a worker who used their arms or a nickname for a strong person.
also spelled
Burzell
Burzele
Bourzel
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Bad Windsheim, Bürgerbuch der Stadt Windsheim
Ruff, Julius R., Violence in Early Modern Europe 1500-1800, 2001
Wilson, Peter H., The Holy Roman Empire: A Thousand Years of Europe's History, 2016
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
