A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frehse family of Germany.
Reg. 2394 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 la fasce de gu., bordée d'arg., acc. de trois étoiles d'or. Cq. cour. C.: une étoile d'or, entre un vol de sa. L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
GermanyRostock, c. 1786
Where the Frehse Arms Were Recorded
Rostock
Map of Germany showing where the Frehse arms are recorded
The Frehse arms were recorded in Rostock, c. 1786.
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.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Frehse 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 Frehse Family in Germany
The surname Frehse is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Northern Germany, particularly within the coastal region of Mecklenburg. By the late 18th century, the family was well-established in the port city of Rostock, a location that served as a vital hub for trade and maritime activity along the Baltic Sea. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Middle Low German word "vrech," which translates to bold, lively, or spirited. This suggests that the name likely began as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor known for their energetic or courageous personality. As families in this region began to adopt permanent surnames during the transition from the medieval period to the modern era, the name Frehse became a fixed identifier for those living and working within the bustling urban environment of Rostock.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Freh
A Middle High German term related to joy or gladness.
This name
FrehseA topographic or habitational name denoting someone who lived in a joyful or pleasant place.
also spelled
Frehsee
Frehsey
Frehsez
Frayza
Frayse
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
Stadtarchiv Rostock, Bürgerbücher der Hansestadt Rostock, 1786
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
