A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frankenburg family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7829 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à un château, composé d'un corps de logis, flanqué de deux tours, celle à dextre supérieure; ledit château posé sur la crête d'une montagne; le tout d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: trois pl. d'aut., une d'arg. entre deux de gu.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1859
Where the Frankenburg Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Frankenburg arms are recorded
The Frankenburg arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1859.
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 IV of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William IV of Prussia
1840–1861
Reigning in Germany when the Frankenburg 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 Frankenburg Family in Germany
The surname Frankenburg is a topographical name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe. It is derived from the combination of the word Frank, which refers to the Frankish people, and the word Burg, which signifies a fortified castle or a protected settlement. Families bearing this name likely lived near a prominent fortress or a town established by Frankish settlers during the Middle Ages. By the mid-19th century, the name was well-established in the region of Bavaria. Records from 1859 confirm that members of the Frankenburg family were active participants in the social and economic life of Bavarian communities during this period. This era was a time of significant transition in Germany as the region moved toward industrialization and political unification, and families like the Frankenburgs were part of the demographic shifts that shaped the modern German state.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à l'aigle de sa., bq., m. et cour. d'or, la poitrine ch. d'un croiss. d'arg. ou d'or. Cq. cour. C.: l'aigle.”
CarinthiaCarinthia, c. 1772
Where the Frankenburg Arms Were Recorded
Carinthia
Map of Austria showing where the Frankenburg arms are recorded
The Frankenburg arms were recorded in Carinthia, c. 1772.
Carinthia was Alpine country in southern Austria with iron and lead in its mountains. Mining and landholding both made money, and families who held either kind of property took 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
Carinthia
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Frankenburg Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Frankenburg 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 Carinthia.
Origin & History of the Frankenburg Family in Austria
The family name Frankenburg carries a deep connection to the historical landscape of the Austrian Empire. By the year 1772, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the province of Carinthia. During this era, Carinthia served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange within the Habsburg territories. Families living in this region often held roles tied to the land or local administration, which allowed them to integrate into the social fabric of the Alpine valleys. The name itself suggests an association with a fortified settlement or a castle, which was a common way for families to identify their place of origin or residence in medieval and early modern German-speaking lands. As the family grew in Carinthia, they became part of the long-standing tradition of Austrian provincial life, contributing to the development of the region throughout the late eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Franken-Burg
A fortified settlement associated with the Frankish people.
This name
FrankenburgRefers to a person who lived in or originated from a castle belonging to the Franks.
also spelled
Frankenbourg
Frankenburgh
Frankenburk
Related arms
Franck de Franckenburgvariant spelling
Franckenburgvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv. Regierungsakten der Oberpfalz und von Regensburg. 1859
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familien-Namen: 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.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
