A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fortis family of Germany.
Reg. 6917 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 tête de lion d'or, cour. du même, lamp. de gu., et une mouche d'arg., dans l'action de s'envoler, posée sur l'extrémité de la langue du lion. C.: un vol, d'azur et d'or, les plumes ext. de chaque aile de l'émail opposé.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1824
Where the Fortis Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Fortis arms are recorded
The Fortis arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1824.
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.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Fortis 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Fortis Family in Germany
The name Fortis carries a strong meaning rooted in the Latin word for brave, strong, or steadfast. While the name appears across various European regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the Bavarian region of Germany by 1824. During this period, Bavaria was undergoing significant social and political changes as it transitioned into a modern kingdom. Families with this name likely held roles within local communities that required resilience or physical strength, which aligned with the literal meaning of their surname. As the nineteenth century progressed, the family became part of the growing professional and agricultural classes that helped shape the local economy and culture of Southern Germany. Their presence in official Bavarian records from this time suggests they were well-integrated into the regional society and participated in the daily life of their towns and villages.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fortis
Latin adjective meaning strong, brave, or steadfast.
This name
FortisA descriptive surname denoting a person of great physical strength or courage.
also spelled
Fortiss
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Königlich Bayerisches Staatsministerium des Innern
Bayerisches Landesamt für Statistik, Bayerische Gemeinde- und Einwohnerverzeichnisse
Königlich Bayerisches Statistisches Bureau, Beiträge zur Statistik des Königreichs Bayern (1824)
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
lionCourage, strength and royalty
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
