A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fritze family of Germany.
Reg. 5006 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
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)
“Parti: au 1 de gu. à une licorne ramp. et cont. d'arg.; au 2 bandé d'azur et d'or; à une rose en coeur, de l'un en l'autre. Cq. cour. C.: la licorne, iss., entre un vol, l'aile dextre barrée d'arg. et de gu., l'aile sen. bandée d'or et d'azur, à une rose de l'un en l'autre. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'arg. et d'azur.”
BrandenburgBrandenburg, c. 1636
Where the Fritze Arms Were Recorded
Brandenburg
Map of Germany showing where the Fritze arms are recorded
The Fritze arms were recorded in Brandenburg, c. 1636.
Brandenburg was sandy farming country around Berlin, held in large estates by families who served as officers. Land and military service each brought arms, and most families there had both.
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.
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
1619–1637
Reigning in Germany when the Fritze 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 Brandenburg.
Origin & History of the Fritze Family in Germany
The family name Fritze traces its roots to the Germanic region of Brandenburg, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1636. The name itself is a diminutive form of the name Friedrich, which translates to peaceful ruler. During the seventeenth century, the Brandenburg region was a central part of the Holy Roman Empire, and families like the Fritzes were often tied to the land as farmers or skilled tradespeople. Because the Thirty Years' War caused significant upheaval throughout Germany during this period, the survival and documentation of the family in Brandenburg suggests they were resilient and deeply rooted in their local community. Over time, the name evolved from a personal nickname into a formal surname that was passed down through generations, reflecting the linguistic traditions of the Prussian heartland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Friedrich
Derived from Germanic elements meaning peaceful ruler.
This name
FritzeA diminutive form of the name meaning peaceful ruler or ruler of peace.
also spelled
Fritzy
Frytze
Fritza
Fritsy
Related arms
Prestonsimilar arms
Fritzvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preußischer Kulturbesitz, I. Hauptabteilung Repositur 9 (General-Verzeichnis der preußischen Behörden)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
