A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Faul family of Germany.
Reg. 1602 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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. au lion d'or, tenant de sa patte dextre un livre ouv. du même et de sa sen. une épée d'arg., posée sur son épaule. Cq. cour. C.: le lion, iss.”
GermanyNördlingen Bav, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Faul arms are recorded
The Faul arms were recorded in Nördlingen Bav, 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 Faul 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 Faul Family in Germany
The surname Faul traces its roots back to the Germanic linguistic tradition, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname. In Middle High German, the word *fūl* carried meanings related to being lazy, rotten, or decayed, though it was often used in medieval times to describe someone who was slow-moving or perhaps physically sluggish. By the time the family was firmly established in the Bavarian town of Nördlingen in 1765, the name had evolved into a stable hereditary surname. During this era, Nördlingen was a significant center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Fauls were often integrated into the local guild systems or agricultural life of the region. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the town, contributing to the local economy and community life through their work and daily interactions within the city walls.
Faul Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
falo
Old High German term referring to a pale or dun color.
This name
FaulA nickname for a person with a pale, sallow, or light-colored complexion.
also spelled
Faulle
Faule
Faulx
Fol
Fall
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Stadtarchiv Nördlingen. Bürgerbuch der Stadt Nördlingen. 1765
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
