A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fils family of Germany.
Reg. 9528 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
knightChivalry and service in arms
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à un homme, arm. de toutes pièces, cour. du champ, supp. de sa main dextre une étoile de gu.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à la bande d'arg., ch. de trois étoiles de gu. Cq. cour. C.: l'homme, iss., entre deux prob. coupées, à dextre d'or sur azur, à sen. de gu. sur arg. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Fils Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Fils arms are recorded
The Fils 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 Germany when the Fils 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 Fils Family in Germany
The surname Fils is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Bavaria, where records confirm the family was established by at least 1765. In the German language, the word "Fils" historically functioned as a descriptive term or a variation of names related to lineage, often signifying a son or a descendant. During the eighteenth century, families in the Bavarian region were frequently identified by their occupation, their place of origin, or their relationship to a patriarch. Given the linguistic patterns of the time, the name likely emerged as a way to distinguish specific branches of a family within their local community. As these individuals lived through a period of significant social and agricultural change in Southern Germany, the name became a permanent marker of their identity. Over time, the family established itself as a stable part of the regional population, contributing to the local traditions and the development of their home towns.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Filius
Latin term meaning son or male offspring.
This name
FilsA patronymic surname indicating the son of a person, often used to denote lineage.
also spelled
Fyls
Filles
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
knightChivalry and service in arms
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
knightChivalry and service in arms
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
