Map of France showing where the Faust arms are recorded
The Faust arms were recorded in Strasbourg, c. 1663.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Faust arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Faust Family in France
The history of the Faust family in France is deeply tied to the unique cultural landscape of the Alsace region. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Strasbourg, a city that served as a vital crossroads between French and Germanic influences. The name itself likely originated from the Latin word *faustus*, which translates to lucky or auspicious. During the seventeenth century, families in this border region often navigated complex shifts in political power as Strasbourg transitioned from a free imperial city into the Kingdom of France. Because the area was a hub for trade and printing, the Faust family likely benefited from the city's intellectual environment and its role as a center for European commerce. Living in such a strategic location meant that the family was part of a vibrant, multilingual society that helped shape their identity during the early modern period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cramponFirm hold on what has been gained
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 deux crampons d'arg., passés en saut. C.: un avant-bras, posé en pal, paré de gu., la main de carn. empoignant un crampon d'arg. en fasce.”
Germanyc. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Faust arms are recorded
The Faust arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 France when the Faust 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 Faust Family in Germany
The surname Faust traces its origins back to the medieval period in Germany, where it functioned as a descriptive nickname. Derived from the Middle High German word *fust*, the name originally referred to a person with a strong or perhaps a particularly large hand. Over time, this moniker became a hereditary family name as it was passed down through generations. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the Bavarian region. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the Faust family were active participants in the social and economic life of these southern German lands. During this era, families often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where they contributed to the local agricultural and artisanal traditions that defined the Bavarian landscape.
Faust Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Faustus
Latin word meaning lucky, fortunate, or auspicious.
This name
FaustA surname derived from a personal name signifying a person who is blessed with good fortune.
also spelled
Fauste
Foust
Faustt
Fowst
Related arms
Brentanorecorded with Faust, same area
Fuchsrecorded with Faust, same area
Gaudyrecorded with Faust, same area
Gruberrecorded with Faust, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin, Registres paroissiaux de Strasbourg
Livet, Georges, L'intendance d'Alsace sous Louis XIV, 1648-1715, 1956
Rapp, Francis, Histoire de Strasbourg des origines à nos jours, 1987
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cramponFirm hold on what has been gained
