A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frantz family of Germany.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Parti de gu. et d'arg., à qua-”
The Frantz arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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.
Reigning in Germany when the Frantz arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Frantz is a variation of the name Franz, which originated as a descriptive term for someone who came from the land of the Franks or was associated with the Frankish people. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the name was well-established in the bustling city of Nuremberg, which served as a major hub for trade and craftsmanship in the Holy Roman Empire. Families bearing this name during the 1760s were often integrated into the urban economy, working as skilled artisans or merchants within the city walls. Because Nuremberg was a center for metalworking and printing, individuals named Frantz likely participated in the vibrant guild system that defined social life at the time. This period was marked by significant growth in the region, and the presence of the Frantz family in local records suggests they were part of the steady middle class that helped sustain the city's reputation for excellence in manufacturing and commerce.
A member of the Frankish tribe or a free man.
