A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chelius family of Germany.
Reg. 7850 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à trois roses de gu., barbées et bout. de sin. C.: un vol, d'arg. et de gu.”
GermanyHeidelberg, c. 1725
Where the Chelius Arms Were Recorded
Heidelberg
Map of Germany showing where the Chelius arms are recorded
The Chelius arms were recorded in Heidelberg, c. 1725.
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.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Germany when the Chelius 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 Chelius Family in Germany
The surname Chelius is deeply rooted in the history of the Palatinate region of Germany, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of Heidelberg by 1725. The name is believed to be a Latinized version of a German occupational or topographic name, a common practice among educated families and clergy during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. By adopting a Latin-sounding suffix, the family aligned themselves with the scholarly traditions of the University of Heidelberg, which was a major intellectual hub at the time. Members of the early Chelius family were often integrated into the professional class, serving as skilled craftsmen, educators, or local administrators. This social standing allowed them to maintain a consistent presence in the city records throughout the eighteenth century, reflecting a family history defined by stability, literacy, and active participation in the civic life of the Rhine valley.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caelius
Derived from the Latin word for heaven or sky.
This name
CheliusA Germanized form of a Latin surname indicating a person from the heavens or sky.
also spelled
Cheli
Chely
Related arms
Meyenbergrecorded with Chelius, same area
Schochnerrecorded with Chelius, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Stadtarchiv Heidelberg, Kirchenbücher der Heiliggeistkirche (Church records of the Holy Spirit Church)
Stadtarchiv Heidelberg, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Heidelberg (Citizenship records of the city of Heidelberg)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
