A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fees family of Austria.
Reg. 9038 · Austrian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
legStrength and swiftness
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
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 une jambe arm. et éperonnée d'arg., coupée à la cuisse.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Fees Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Fees arms are recorded
The Fees arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
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
1772
Granting Authority for the Fees Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Fees 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 Fees Family in Austria
The surname Fees is deeply rooted in the Alpine region of Tyrol, where historical records confirm the family was well-established by the year 1772. During this period, Tyrol was a significant crossroads for trade and culture within the Holy Roman Empire, and families living in these mountain valleys often held roles tied to agriculture, forestry, or local administration. The name likely evolved as a descriptive identifier for individuals living in specific high-altitude settlements or working in specialized mountain trades. Because the region was characterized by isolated village communities, the Fees family would have maintained strong local connections for generations. Their presence in the late 18th century suggests they were part of the stable, land-holding class that helped define the social structure of the Tyrolean landscape before the major political shifts of the 19th century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vieh
German word for livestock, cattle, or farm animals.
This name
FeesAn occupational surname for a cattle herder, farmer, or livestock dealer.
also spelled
Fues
Fuesss
Fuesse
Fees
Fuss
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
legStrength and swiftness
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
legStrength and swiftness
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
