A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Colditz family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5618 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé, d'or au lion naiss. de gu., tenant une fleur-de-lis d'azur, sur arg. à trois bandes de sa.; à la fasce du dernier, br. sur le coupé. Cq. cour. C.: le lion, iss. L.: à dextre d'or et de gu., à sen. d'arg. et de sa.”
Germanyc. 1685
Where the Colditz Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Colditz arms are recorded
The Colditz arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1685.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
1658–1705
Reigning in Germany when the Colditz 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 Colditz Family in Germany
The family name Colditz originates from the region of Saxony, where it was first used as a locative surname derived from the town of Colditz. During the medieval period, families often adopted the names of the towns where they held land or served as local officials. By the late 17th century, the family had expanded their presence across German territories, with documented records confirming members of the family living in Bavaria by 1685. This migration was common during the post-war recovery period in Germany, as families sought new opportunities in trade and agriculture following the instability of the previous decades. As the family settled into these new regions, they integrated into the local social structures, transitioning from their origins as town-associated figures to becoming established residents within the Bavarian landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
phoenixRebirth, and survival through fire
fireZeal and purification
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or au lion naiss. de sa., mouv. du coupé; au 2 d'or à un phenix d'azur, les ailes étendues, s'élevant d'un feu de gu. en p. A la fasce de sa., ch. de trois bandes d'or et br. sur le coupé. Deux cq. C.: 1º un vol cont. de sa., chaque aile ch. de trois bandes d'or; 2º un lion iss. de sa. L. d'or et de sa.”
AustriaVienne, c. 1881
Where the Colditz Arms Were Recorded
Vienne
Map of Austria showing where the Colditz arms are recorded
The Colditz arms were recorded in Vienne, c. 1881.
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
Vienne
Town
Vienne
First recorded
1881
Granting Authority for the Colditz Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Sovereign of the period
Franz Joseph I of Austria
1848–1916
Reigning in Germany when the Colditz 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 Colditz Family in Austria
The history of the Colditz family in Austria is deeply connected to the rapid expansion of Vienna during the late nineteenth century. By 1881, members of the family were established residents in the city, arriving during a time when Vienna was transforming into a major cultural and industrial hub of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The name itself suggests origins linked to the town of Colditz in Saxony, indicating that the family likely migrated south as part of the large movement of skilled workers and professionals seeking opportunities in the imperial capital. During this period, the family became part of the growing urban middle class that helped shape the city’s administrative and social life. Their presence in the city records from this time highlights how families often moved across borders to find stability and growth in the heart of Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Choltiz
A Slavic locative term referring to a settlement or place.
This name
ColditzDerived from a place name in Saxony, denoting someone originating from Colditz.
also spelled
Coldit
Coldits
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
phoenixRebirth, and survival through fire
fireZeal and purification
