A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dunkle family of Austria.
Reg. 2556 · Austrian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
pegasusFame, eloquence and swift renown
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 d'arg. à un Pégase saillant de gu., soutenu d'un tertre de trois coupeaux de sin.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à trois étoiles malordonnées d'or.”
AustriaVienne, c. 1772
Where the Dunkle Arms Were Recorded
Vienne
Map of Austria showing where the Dunkle arms are recorded
The Dunkle arms were recorded in Vienne, c. 1772.
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
1772
Granting Authority for the Dunkle Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Dunkle 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 Dunkle Family in Austria
The family name Dunkle is rooted in the Germanic linguistic tradition, where it likely evolved from the Middle High German word *dunkel*, meaning dark or shadowy. This descriptive surname was often used to identify individuals by their physical appearance, such as those with dark hair or a deep complexion. By the late 18th century, members of the family were established in the region of Vienne. This area, located along the Rhône River in France, served as a significant crossroads for families moving across European borders during the 1700s. The presence of the family in this specific locale by 1772 suggests they were part of the broader migration patterns of Germanic-speaking people who settled in various parts of Western Europe during the Enlightenment era. As they integrated into their new communities, the family name became a permanent marker of their ancestral origins and their transition into the social fabric of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
dunkel
Germanic adjective meaning dark, obscure, or dim.
This name
DunkleA descriptive nickname for someone with a dark complexion or hair.
also spelled
Dunkle
Dunklar
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
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Archives départementales de l'Isère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la commune de Vienne
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
pegasusFame, eloquence and swift renown
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
pegasusFame, eloquence and swift renown
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
