A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fels family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 1503 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
Colours
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)
“D'arg. au pal échiq. d'azur et d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: une aigle iss. de sa.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1765
Where the Fels Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Fels arms are recorded
The Fels arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
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 Germany when the Fels 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Fels Family in Germany
The surname Fels is a topographic name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe. In the German language, the word *Fels* translates directly to rock or cliff. Families who adopted this name were often identified by their proximity to a prominent geological feature, such as a rocky outcrop or a mountain range. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the Fels family was firmly established in the Bavarian region. During this era, Bavaria was a collection of territories where families were deeply connected to the land and local agriculture. Because the name is rooted in the physical landscape, it suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or laborers who lived near distinct rock formations. This naming tradition helped neighbors and local officials distinguish between different households in a time when most people did not have formal surnames.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti d'arg. et de sa.; à une croisette pattée de l'un en l'autre. Cq. cour. C.: un panache de pl. d'aut., aux armes de l'écu.”
TyrolTyrol, c. 1772
Where the Fels Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Fels arms are recorded
The Fels arms were recorded in Tyrol, c. 1772.
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 Fels 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 Germany when the Fels 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 Tyrol.
Origin & History of the Fels Family in Austria
The family name Fels finds its roots in the rugged landscape of the Austrian Tyrol, where the name first appeared in official records during the late eighteenth century. Derived from the German word for rock or cliff, the name likely served as a topographic identifier for families living near prominent mountain formations or rocky outcrops. By 1772, members of the Fels family were well-established within the local social structure of the region. During this period, the Tyrol was a vital crossroads for trade and migration within the Habsburg Empire, and families often held roles linked to agriculture or local administration. The presence of the name in these early census and parish documents suggests that the family was deeply integrated into the mountain communities, relying on the natural geography of the Alps to define their identity and their place in history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un bouquetin ramp. de sa., coll. d'or, soutenu d'une terrasse rocheuse de sin. Cq. cour. C.: le bouquetin, iss.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Fels Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Fels arms are recorded
The Fels arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Fels Family in Switzerland
The surname Fels is deeply rooted in the German language, where it translates directly to the word for rock or cliff. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name likely lived near a prominent geological feature or a fortified rocky outcrop. By 1745, records confirm that the Fels family was well-established in the city of Bern, Switzerland. During this period, Bern was a powerful city-state governed by a strict social hierarchy, and families like the Fels were often integrated into the local burgher class. As residents of such a significant administrative center, members of the family were likely involved in the trade, craft, or civic duties that defined life in the Swiss Confederacy during the eighteenth century. Their presence in Bern indicates that they were part of a stable, settled population that contributed to the growth and governance of the region during a time of great political transition in Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fels
A Middle High German term for a large rock or cliff.
This name
FelsA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent rock formation or cliff.
Related arms
Moras de Fanalsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen, 1971
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kurbayern Hofkammer: Steuer- und Katasterwesen, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
