A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forcht family of Germany.
Reg. 6173 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
knightChivalry and service in arms
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“De gu. à un homme iss., revêtu d'un habit brunâtre, tenant un sapin arr. de sin.; le champ chapé-ployé, à dextre d'or à un griffon cont. de sa. tenant une épée, à sen. d'azur à une fasce ondée d'arg. et une oie du même nageante sur la fasce. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° un sapin de sin., entre deux prob. de gu., ch. chacune d'une fasce d'arg.; l. d'arg. et de gu.; 2°”
Germanyc. 1783
Where the Forcht Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Forcht arms are recorded
The Forcht arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1783.
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.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Forcht 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 Forcht Family in Germany
The surname Forcht is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Bavaria, where records confirm the family was well-established by the year 1783. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German word *vorht*, which translates to fear or respect. In the context of early naming conventions, this likely functioned as a descriptive nickname for a person who possessed a cautious nature or perhaps someone who commanded a sense of awe from their peers. During the late 18th century, families in this region were often tied to specific trades or agricultural lands, and the Forcht name appears in local parish registers that tracked births, marriages, and deaths. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant social change in Southern Germany, as the region transitioned under the influence of the Enlightenment and the shifting political borders of the Holy Roman Empire. By maintaining their presence in Bavarian communities, the early members of the Forcht family contributed to the regional identity that defined village life and local commerce for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Furcht
A German noun meaning fear or dread.
This name
ForchtA nickname for a timid or anxious person, or one who inspires fear.
also spelled
Forchtel
Forcht
Ferchtl
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kirchenbücher der katholischen Pfarreien, 1783
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
knightChivalry and service in arms
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
knightChivalry and service in arms
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
