A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fritz family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0653 · Swedish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Coupé de gu. sur azur; à trois coquilles d'arg., 2 sur le gu. et 1 sur l'azur. L'écu bordé d'or. C.: trois pl. d'aut.: d'azur, d'arg. et de gu. L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Swedenc. 1647
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Map of Sweden showing where the Fritz arms are recorded
The Fritz arms were recorded in Sweden, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Stockholm.
Stockholm held the Swedish court and the House of Nobility, where every noble family's arms were entered and kept. Families ennobled for service registered there, which is why so many are recorded around the city.
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 Sweden in this period.
Christina of Sweden
Sovereign of the period
Christina of Sweden
1632–1654
Reigning in Sweden when the Fritz arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Sweden
In Sweden, a coat of arms belonged to a noble family as a whole rather than just one individual. These arms were passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants. Younger branches of the family used the same shield without needing to change it. This system ensured that the entire lineage shared the same identity and status under the law.
Granting authority
The Riddarhuset, or House of Nobility, regulated all noble coats of arms in Sweden under royal authority.
How they got arms
Families received their coats of arms through royal grants of nobility which were then officially registered with the House.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Swedish House of Nobility register starting in the year 1626.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Sweden.
Origin & History of the Fritz Family in Sweden
The family name Fritz has roots in Sweden that stretch back to the mid-seventeenth century. Historical records confirm that members of the family were living in Stockholm by 1647. During this era, the name functioned as a short form of Germanic names like Friedrich, which translates to peaceful ruler. In the context of seventeenth-century Sweden, the name likely arrived through trade or military connections between the Baltic regions and the Swedish capital. As Stockholm grew into a major center of commerce and administration, families like the Fritz line became integrated into the urban fabric of the city. They were part of the steady movement of people who helped shape the professional and social life of the capital during the Swedish Empire period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“De sin. à une licorne saillante d'or, coll. et bouclée de gu. C.: la licorne, iss.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Fritz arms are recorded
The Fritz arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Sweden when the Fritz 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Fritz Family in Germany
The name Fritz originated as a shortened form of the Germanic name Friedrich, which translates to peaceful ruler. During the Middle Ages, it became common for people to use these nicknames as a way to distinguish themselves within growing communities. By the time your ancestors were recorded in Bavaria in 1765, the name had been established for centuries as a common identifier across German-speaking lands. Families bearing this name were often part of the hardworking agricultural or artisan classes that formed the backbone of the Bavarian economy. Because the name was derived from a popular personal title rather than a specific location or trade, it spread naturally as families moved through the region. This history reflects the broader social patterns of 18th-century Germany, where surnames were becoming permanent markers of family identity as local record-keeping became more formal.
Fritz Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Friedrich
Derived from Germanic elements meaning peaceful ruler.
This name
FritzA diminutive form representing a peaceful and powerful leader.
also spelled
Frits
Frytz
Fritze
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stockholms stadsarkiv (Stockholm City Archives), Mantalslängder för Stockholms stad (Tax census records for the city of Stockholm), 1647
Riksarkivet (National Archives of Sweden), Biographica: Fritz, collection of personal records
Otterbjörk, Roland, Svenska förnamn: Kortfattat namnlexikon, 1964
Hellquist, Elof, Svensk etymologisk ordbok, 1922
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
