A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Füssell family of Germany.
Reg. 3921 · German, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De sa. à un griffon d'arg., tenant un bâton du même. C.: une fleur-de-lis d'arg.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
Where the Füssell Arms Were Recorded
Nuremberg
Map of Germany showing where the Füssell arms are recorded
The Füssell arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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 Füssell 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 Füssell Family in Germany
The surname Füssell originates from the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, where it functioned as a descriptive occupational or personal name. The root of the word is linked to the Middle High German term *fuessel*, which often referred to a small foot or served as a diminutive nickname for someone with a distinct gait. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the imperial city of Nuremberg. During this era, Nuremberg was a thriving hub of trade, metalworking, and craftsmanship, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the Füssell family were active participants in the social and economic life of this city, likely contributing to the local industries that defined the region at the time. As the family moved through the generations, they maintained their connection to these urban centers, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and professional development seen across the Holy Roman Empire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fuss
A German word meaning foot.
This name
FüssellA diminutive occupational name for someone who worked with feet or was a foot soldier.
also spelled
Fussel
Fuessel
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher und Einwohnerverzeichnisse der Reichsstadt Nürnberg, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
