A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forgách family of Austria.
Reg. 6142 · Austrian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 femme iss. de carn., les cheveux épars, cour. d'or, posée de front, iss. d'une couronne du même, les mains jointes sur la poitrine, les poignets liées de liens d'or; ladite femme acc. en chef de deux croiss. figurés et affr. d'arg. C.: les meubles de l'écu (sans croissants).”
Austriac. 1640
Where the Forgách Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Forgách arms are recorded
The Forgách arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1640.
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
1640
Granting Authority for the Forgách Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
1637–1657
Reigning in Austria when the Forgách 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 Forgách Family in Austria
The Forgách family name has deep roots that trace back to the mountainous regions of Central Europe. By the year 1640, historical records confirm that members of the family were well established in the Tyrol region. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the local social and political landscape of the Holy Roman Empire. They often held positions of responsibility that allowed them to influence the administration of their local communities. As the family grew, they moved across different territories and adapted to the changing borders of the era. Their presence in Tyrol serves as a key starting point for understanding how the family established their influence before expanding into other parts of the continent.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
forg
Derived from the Slavic word for a ditch or a trench.
This name
ForgáchRefers to a person who lived near a ditch or a defensive trench.
also spelled
Forgach de Ghymes
Forgach de Gacs
Forgach
Forgach de Gimes et de Gach
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Nagy, Iván. Magyarország családai czímerekkel és nemzékrendi táblákkal. 1857
Siebmacher, Johann. Grosses und allgemeines Wappenbuch. 1893
Hungarian National Archives (Magyar Nemzeti Levéltár), Diplomáciai levéltár
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
