A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Diepholz family of Germany.
Reg. 1240 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or au lion de gu., cour. du champ; au 2 d'azur à l'aigle d'arg. C.: le lion, iss.; ou, deux cornes de buffle, de gu et d'or; ou, deux cornes de buffle coupées, à dextre de gu. sur or, à sen. d'arg. sur azur. L.: à dextre d'or et de gu., à sen. d'arg. et d'azur.”
WestphaliaWestphalia, c. 1585
Where the Diepholz Arms Were Recorded
Westphalia
Map of Germany showing where the Diepholz arms are recorded
The Diepholz arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1585.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Emperor Rudolf II
Sovereign of the period
Emperor Rudolf II
1576–1612
Reigning in Germany when the Diepholz 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 Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Diepholz Family in Germany
The name Diepholz originates from a specific region in Lower Saxony, Germany, and is classified as a locational surname. Families bearing this name likely took it from the town of Diepholz, which was historically significant as the seat of the Counts of Diepholz. By the late 16th century, members of the family were well-established in the Westphalia region, where they lived as part of the local social fabric. During this period, the name served as a way to identify individuals by their ancestral home or their connection to the land. As families moved throughout the German territories, the name persisted as a link to their northern roots. This naming tradition reflects the common practice of the era where geographic identity played a central role in how people were known within their communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Diep-Holz
Deep or low-lying area of woodland or forest.
This name
DiepholzRefers to someone who lived near a deep or low-lying forest area.
also spelled
Diepholtz
Deep-holts
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Kohl, Wilhelm, Westfälische Geschichte, 1983
Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Kirchengemeinden in Westfalen
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
