A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bunte family of Austria.
Reg. 2603 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec. en saut.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur à une étoile d'or; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à deux pals de gu. C.: une étoile d'or, entre deux prob., de gu. et d'arg. L.: à dextre d'or et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Austriac. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Bunte arms are recorded
The Bunte arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Bunte Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Bunte arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Bunte Family in Austria
The surname Bunte traces its roots back to the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname. In Middle High German, the word "bunt" referred to something colorful, variegated, or patterned, which suggests that the earliest ancestors to bear this name may have been known for their vibrant clothing or perhaps their skill in working with multicolored textiles. By the year 1772, historical records confirm that members of the Bunte family were firmly established in the mountainous region of Tyrol. Living in this rugged alpine landscape, these early family members were likely involved in traditional mountain trades such as farming, forestry, or regional commerce. As they moved through the valleys and villages of the Austrian Alps, the family name became a permanent marker of their identity, passed down through generations as they navigated the social and economic shifts of the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bunt
Middle High German term meaning colorful, variegated, or motley.
This name
BunteA descriptive nickname for a person who wore brightly colored or patterned clothing.
also spelled
Bunte
Buntt
Bunth
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
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
