A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frik family of Germany.
Reg. 4721 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
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)
“D'arg. à un arbre triplement étagé de sin., terrassé du même. Cq. cour. C.: une gerbe d'or, accostée de deux colombes affr. d'arg., becquetant ladite gerbe. L. d'arg. et de sin.”
GermanyUlm, c. 1765
Where the Frik Arms Were Recorded
Ulm
Map of Germany showing where the Frik arms are recorded
The Frik arms were recorded in Ulm, 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 Frik 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 Frik Family in Germany
The surname Frik is deeply rooted in the history of southern Germany, where it emerged as a distinct family name during the late Middle Ages. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Ulm, a major economic and cultural hub along the Danube River. In 1765, records confirm that members of the Frik family were active participants in the civic life of this bustling merchant city. The name itself likely originated as a shortened form of names like Friedrich, reflecting a common linguistic trend in the region where nicknames evolved into formal surnames. As the family grew, they integrated into the local trades and professional guilds that defined the social structure of Ulm, contributing to the city's reputation as a center for craftsmanship and commerce.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Friedrich
Derived from Germanic elements meaning peaceful ruler.
This name
FrikA diminutive form of names containing the element peace or ruler.
also spelled
Fricke
Frik
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Ulm, Bürgeraufnahmen und Zunftregister der Reichsstadt Ulm, 1765
Kohlheim, Rosa and Volker Kohlheim, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20.000 Nachnamen, 2005
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
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
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
