A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fliss family of Germany.
Reg. 0866 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à une rivière en bande ondée d'arg.; au chef de gu., ch. de deux épées d'arg., garnies d'or, passées en saut. C.: une tête et col de lion d'azur. L.: d'arg. et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1864
Where the Fliss Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Fliss arms are recorded
The Fliss arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1864.
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.
Wilhelm I
Sovereign of the period
Wilhelm I
1861–1888
Reigning in Germany when the Fliss arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Fliss Family in Germany
The surname Fliss is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Bavarian region of Germany. By the mid-19th century, families bearing this name were well-established within the local communities, particularly around the year 1864. The name likely originated as a descriptive term or a localized nickname used to identify individuals based on their specific trade or geographic origin within the Bavarian countryside. During this era, life in Bavaria was defined by agricultural traditions and the gradual shift toward industrialization, which influenced how families lived and recorded their identities. As members of the Fliss family navigated the social changes of the 1860s, they contributed to the cultural fabric of their home state through their daily work and community involvement. This period serves as a foundational chapter for the family, marking a time when their presence in the region was officially documented in local records.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Felicitas
Latin term meaning good luck, happiness, or prosperity.
This name
FlissA German diminutive form derived from the Latin name for happiness and good fortune.
also spelled
Fliss
Flees
Flies
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv), General-Akten der Regierung von Oberbayern
Bavarian State Office for Statistics (Bayerisches Landesamt für Statistik), Ortschaften-Verzeichnis des Königreichs Bayern, 1868
Heckmair, Anton, Geschichte des bayerischen Volkes, 1865
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
