A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ezel family of Germany.
Reg. 5087 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
columnFortitude and constancy
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De sa. à trois colonnes d'or, celle du milieu cour. du même. C.: une colonne d'or; entre un vol, de sa. et d'or.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1765
Where the Ezel Arms Were Recorded
Map of Germany showing where the Ezel arms are recorded
The Ezel arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1765.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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 Ezel 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 Silesia.
Origin & History of the Ezel Family in Germany
The family name Ezel has deep roots in the historical region of Silesia, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1765. During this period, Silesia was a vibrant territory caught between shifting borders and cultural influences, which shaped the lives of those living there. The name itself is thought to be linked to the Middle High German word for a donkey, which was often used as a descriptive nickname or a house sign in medieval times. Families living in this region during the eighteenth century were typically involved in agriculture, trade, or local craftsmanship. By settling in Silesia, the Ezel family became part of a complex social landscape that included German, Polish, and Czech influences. Over time, these early ancestors helped establish the family name as a recognized part of the local community before the name eventually spread to other parts of Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Asel
Derived from the Germanic word for a donkey or beast of burden.
This name
EzelA topographic or occupational name referring to someone who worked with or kept donkeys.
also spelled
Esel
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archive in Wrocław (Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu), Akta stanu cywilnego parafii rzymskokatolickiej w Świdnicy, 1765
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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