A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clauss family of Germany.
Reg. 4032 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un taureau de sa., arrêté sur un tertre du même. C.: le taureau iss., la tête br. sur une roue de moulin de gu.”
GermanyRatisbonne, c. 1765
Where the Clauss Arms Were Recorded
Ratisbonne
Map of Germany showing where the Clauss arms are recorded
The Clauss arms were recorded in Ratisbonne, 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 Clauss 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 Clauss Family in Germany
The family name Clauss originates as a shortened version of the name Nikolaus, which was a very popular choice in German-speaking regions during the Middle Ages. Because people often used nicknames to distinguish between individuals in small communities, the name evolved into a distinct surname as family records became more formal. By the mid-18th century, the Clauss family had established a notable presence in Ratisbonne, which is the historical German city now known as Regensburg. Living in a major trade hub like Ratisbonne suggests that early family members were likely involved in the city’s vibrant merchant culture or skilled craft guilds. These families played a vital role in the local economy and social structure of the city during the 1760s, helping to shape the community long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nicolaus
Derived from Greek words meaning victory of the people.
This name
ClaussA German patronymic form representing a short version of the name Nicholas.
also spelled
Klauss
Claus
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 Regensburg. Bürgeraufnahme- und Zunftprotokolle der Stadt Regensburg. 1765
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
bullValour and generosity
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bullValour and generosity
