A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fernow family of Austria.
Reg. 3062 · Austrian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'azur à la bande d'or, ch. d'un lion de sa. C.: un vol à l'antique, l'aile de derrière d'or plein, l'aile de devant de sa. ch. d'une étoile d'or. L.: à dextre d'or et d'azur, à sen. d'or et de sa.”
Austriac. 1873
Where the Fernow Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Fernow arms are recorded
The Fernow arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1873.
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
1873
Granting Authority for the Fernow Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Sovereign of the period
Franz Joseph I of Austria
1848–1916
Reigning in Austria when the Fernow 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 Fernow Family in Austria
The surname Fernow is deeply rooted in the mountainous regions of Central Europe, with significant historical ties to the Tyrol area. By the late 19th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents within this rugged landscape. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects, possibly referencing the lush, fern-covered valleys or the dense forests that define the alpine terrain. As families in this area were often tied to the land, the name likely served as a geographic identifier for those living near specific natural landmarks. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the local community, reflecting the resilience and connection to the land that characterized life in the Tyrol region during the 1870s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fern
A type of vascular plant belonging to the Pteridophyta division.
This name
FernowA topographic name for someone who lived in a place where ferns grew.
also spelled
Swoboda
Fernow
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
