A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Eick family of Germany.
Reg. 1968 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 quatre fasces d'azur.”
GermanyCologne, c. 1765
Where the Eick Arms Were Recorded
Cologne
Map of Germany showing where the Eick arms are recorded
The Eick arms were recorded in Cologne, 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 Eick 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 Eick Family in Germany
The family name Eick is rooted in the linguistic landscape of the Lower Rhine region of Germany. It is a topographic surname, which means it was originally used to identify people who lived near a prominent oak tree or a small forest. In the local dialect, the word for an oak tree is *Eiche*, and the name evolved as a shortened version of this term. By 1765, records confirm that the family was well-established in Cologne. During this period, Cologne was a bustling center of trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Eicks were often part of the growing urban middle class. They likely worked as merchants or skilled laborers, contributing to the city's reputation as a hub for commerce and culture. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their identity, linking their ancestry to the natural landmarks of their ancestral home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eiche
A large deciduous tree belonging to the genus Quercus.
This name
EickRefers to someone who lived near an oak tree or forest.
also spelled
Eicke
Eik
Related arms
Eykvariant spelling
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
Historisches Archiv der Stadt Köln. Kölner Bürgeraufnahmen und Zunftregister. 1765
Kohlheim, Rosa and Volker Kohlheim. Duden: Das große Vornamenlexikon. 2017
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
