Map of Austria showing where the Chinitz arms are recorded
The Chinitz arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1747.
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
1747
Granting Authority for the Chinitz Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Austria when the Chinitz 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 Chinitz Family in Austria
The family name Chinitz is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Tyrol region, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1747. The name likely evolved from a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific geographic location within the Alpine territories of the Holy Roman Empire. During the eighteenth century, families in this mountainous area often lived in small, tight-knit communities where names were used to distinguish between different households or trades. As the family moved through Central Europe, the spelling of the name adapted to the linguistic patterns of the regions they inhabited. This transition reflects the broader movement of people across the borders of modern-day Austria, Italy, and Germany during a time of significant social and political change. By maintaining their presence in Tyrol, the early Chinitz ancestors contributed to the local history of a region defined by its unique blend of cultural traditions and complex administrative record-keeping.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chino
A diminutive suffix or reference to a small person or child.
This name
ChinitzAn occupational or descriptive surname likely referring to a small or young individual.
also spelled
Kinsky
Chinitz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
wolfReward from long service and hard work
wolfReward from long service and hard work
