Falke Coat of Arms Record & History

A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Falke family lines. Documented in 2 countries.

Reg. 6911 · German, D–F

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Symbols on this shield

falconOne eager and quick in pursuit

martletA younger son, who must win his own land

Colours

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)

“Parti d'azur et de gu.; à un faucon ess. d'arg., br. sur le parti, fondant sur un autre oiseau ess. d'arg., levant la tête pour regarder le faucon et br. aussi sur le parti. C.: un faucon au nat., chaperonné de gu., la tête sommée de trois pl. d'aut., une de gu. entre deux d'azur. L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”

GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765

Where the Falke Arms Were Recorded

Nuremberg

Map of Germany showing where the Falke arms are recorded

The Falke arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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.

Region: Nuremberg
Town: Nuremberg
First recorded: 1765

Granting Authority for the Falke Arms

Authority

Imperial grant of arms

962-1806

The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.

Sovereign of the period

Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor

1745–1765

Reigning in Germany when the Falke 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 Falke Family in Germany

The surname Falke originates from the Middle High German word *valke*, which translates to falcon. In medieval Germany, names were often derived from a person’s occupation, a physical trait, or a notable characteristic, and this name likely identified someone who worked as a falconer or possessed the keen, sharp nature associated with the bird of prey. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a documented presence in the bustling imperial city of Nuremberg. During this era, Nuremberg served as a major hub for trade and craftsmanship, providing a stable environment for families to build their livelihoods within the city’s rigorous guild structures. The presence of the Falke name in local records from 1765 suggests that the family was well-integrated into the urban life of the Holy Roman Empire, likely contributing to the city’s reputation for skilled labor and commerce during the late Enlightenment period.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Symbols on this shield

falconOne eager and quick in pursuit

Colours

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)

“De gu. à un faucon d'arg., le vol ouv. et abaissé, chaperonné de sa., le chaperon bordé d'or et sommé d'un leurre de plumes de héron d'arg. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1º un lion iss. et cont. d'arg.; 2º le faucon. D.: JAGET DEM GUTEN NACH.”

Austriac. 1874

Where the Falke Arms Were Recorded

Tyrol

Map of Austria showing where the Falke arms are recorded

The Falke arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1874.

Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.

Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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.

Region: Tyrol
First recorded: 1874

Granting Authority for the Falke Arms

Authority

Imperial and Royal chancery

1453-1918

The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.

Sovereign of the period

Franz Joseph I of Austria

1848–1916

Reigning in Germany when the Falke 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 Falke Family in Austria

The family name Falke carries a strong connection to the rugged landscape of the Austrian Tyrol. Derived from the Middle High German word for falcon, the name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person who was swift, sharp-eyed, or perhaps skilled in the noble sport of falconry. By the late 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established within the Tyrolean region. Life in this mountainous area during the 1870s was defined by close-knit village communities and a deep reliance on the land. As the family settled into these alpine valleys, they became part of a long tradition of mountain dwellers who adapted to the challenging climate and the unique cultural identity of western Austria. This history reflects a transition from a simple descriptive title to a recognized family identity that has endured for generations in the heart of the Alps.