A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frosh family of Germany.
Reg. 6887 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 sa. à la bande ondée d'or, ch. de trois grenouilles au nat. C.: un buste d'homme, hab. aux armes de l'écu, et sommé d'une couronne de roses de gu.”
GermanyFrancfort s, c. 1765
Where the Frosh Arms Were Recorded
Francfort s
Map of Germany showing where the Frosh arms are recorded
The Frosh arms were recorded in Francfort s, 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 Frosh 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 Frosh Family in Germany
The family name Frosh is deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe, with historical records confirming that members of the family were established in Frankfurt by 1765. The name itself is closely linked to the Middle High German word "frosch," which means frog. During the Middle Ages, names were often derived from nicknames or physical characteristics, and it is likely that an early ancestor was given this name due to their proximity to a local pond or perhaps a playful observation of their personality. As the family settled in Frankfurt, they became part of the vibrant urban life of an important trade hub, likely participating in the local craft or merchant guilds that defined the city’s economy during the eighteenth century. Over time, the name evolved from a simple descriptive nickname into a stable family surname that was passed down through generations as the family integrated into the social and professional fabric of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Frosch
A small tailless amphibian that lives in water and on land.
This name
FroshA nickname for a person with a lively nature or a dweller near a marshy area.
also spelled
Frosh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Institut für Stadtgeschichte Frankfurt am Main, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Frankfurt am Main
Hessisches Landesarchiv, Kirchenbücher der Frankfurter Kirchengemeinden
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
