A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clam family of Austria.
Reg. 1895 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 tranché d'arg. sur sa. (Clam); aux 2 et 3 d'or à une chatte ramp. de sa. Sur le tout d'or à une jeune fille iss. de carn., mouv. de trois pics de rocher au nat., les cheveux épars, cour. de feuillage, supp. de sa main dextre un massacre de cerf au nat., la sen. appuyée sur sa hanche. Trois cq. cour. C.: 1º un vol cont., aux armes du 1; l. d'or et de gu.; 2º la jeune fille iss.; l. d'arg. et de gu.; 3º le chatte; l. d'arg. et de sa.”
Austriac. 1655
Where the Clam Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Clam arms are recorded
The Clam arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1655.
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
1655
Granting Authority for the Clam Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
1637–1657
Reigning in Austria when the Clam 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 Clam Family in Austria
The family name Clam traces its roots to the rugged landscape of Tyrol, where members of the lineage were firmly established by the year 1655. During this era, the region was a vital crossroads for trade and political influence within the Holy Roman Empire. Families in this area often derived their names from local geography or specific landholdings, suggesting that the name Clam is tied to the distinct mountain terrain or a specific settlement in the Alpine valleys. As the family grew, they integrated into the local social structure, likely serving in administrative or land-owning roles that were common for established families of that time. Their presence in 17th-century Tyrol reflects a history deeply connected to the development of the region, where they navigated the complex social changes of the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Klamm
A narrow mountain gorge or ravine.
This name
ClamRefers to a person who lived near or originated from a narrow mountain pass.
also spelled
Clamm
Clame
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Huter, Franz. Tiroler Urkundenbuch. 1937
Obermair, Hannes. Tirolensia im Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv in Wien. 1996
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Tiroler Adelsakten
Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv, Reichshofrat Akten
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
