A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Folz family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1094 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à une grappe de raisins d'azur, tigée et pamprée de sin. C.: un homme iss., hab. d'azur, coiffé d'un bonnet du même, tenant de sa main dextre une serpe en pal, le tranchant à dextre.”
SwitzerlandBerne, c. 1745
Where the Folz Arms Were Recorded
Berne
Map of Switzerland showing where the Folz arms are recorded
The Folz arms were recorded in Berne, c. 1745.
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 Folz Family in Switzerland
The family name Folz has roots that reach deep into the history of the Swiss canton of Berne. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family was already well-established within the region, with documented members living in Berne by 1745. During this era, the name was often associated with families who held citizenship rights in specific Swiss municipalities, a status known as *Heimatort*. Families like the Folz were typically integrated into the local social and economic structures of the city, often working as skilled tradespeople or participating in the civic life of the Swiss Confederation. As the name spread through the cantons, it became a part of the diverse linguistic landscape of the region, reflecting the long-standing tradition of Swiss families maintaining deep ties to their ancestral home districts over many generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à une croix latine pattée d'or. C.: un senestrochère, paré d'or, posé sur le coude, tenant la croix, accolée d'un rosaire.”
GermanyNördlingen Bav, c. 1765
Where the Folz Arms Were Recorded
Nördlingen
Map of Germany showing where the Folz arms are recorded
The Folz arms were recorded in Nördlingen Bav, c. 1765.
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 Switzerland when the Folz 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 Folz Family in Germany
The surname Folz is deeply rooted in the linguistic traditions of southern Germany, where it likely originated as a shortened form of the Germanic name Volkmar or similar names starting with the element "folk," meaning people. By the mid-18th century, the family was well-established in the historic imperial city of Nördlingen, a location famous for its medieval architecture and its position as a center of trade and craftsmanship. In 1765, records confirm that members of the Folz family were active participants in the social and economic life of this walled city. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the local guild systems, working as skilled artisans or merchants who contributed to the stability of the region. As the family grew, they remained tied to the cultural landscape of Bavaria and Swabia, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and community building that defined German life during the Enlightenment period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Volz
A diminutive form of the Germanic name Volk meaning people.
This name
FolzA patronymic surname derived from a short form of names containing the element folk.
also spelled
Voltz
Folz
Volts
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Bürgerrodel der Stadt Bern
Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, 1989
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grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
cross symbolChristian faith and service
