A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fow family of Germany.
Reg. 1208 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à un paon naiss., au nat., mouv. du bas; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à une queue de paon au nat., mouv. du bas. Sur le tout d'arg. à un paon rouant au nat., posé sur une terrasse de sin. Cq. cour. C.: une queue de paon au nat. L.: d'arg. et d'azur.”
GermanyAnhalt-Bernburg, c. 1765
Where the Fow Arms Were Recorded
Anhalt-Bernburg
Map of Germany showing where the Fow arms are recorded
The Fow arms were recorded in Anhalt-Bernburg, 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 Germany when the Fow 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 Fow Family in Germany
The family name Fow has deep roots in the historical region of Anhalt-Bernburg, where members of the family were documented as early as 1765. During this period, the name was closely tied to the social and economic structures of the German states. Families in this area often lived in small agricultural communities or worked within the administrative systems of the local duchy. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or descriptive terms used to identify individuals based on their trade or their place of residence. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Anhalt-Bernburg, contributing to the development of their community through generations of steady work and local engagement. By maintaining a presence in this specific territory, the early Fow family helped preserve a unique lineage that reflects the broader history of central Germany during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vogel
A feathered vertebrate animal that lays eggs.
This name
FowA topographic or occupational name for someone who caught or kept birds.
also spelled
Pfow
Fow
Fau
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Landesarchiv Sachsen-Anhalt, Kirchenbuchduplikate des Herzogtums Anhalt-Bernburg, 1765
Müller, Ernst, Die Ortsnamen des Herzogtums Anhalt, 1901
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
peacockBeauty, power and knowledge
