A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ganahl family of Austria.
Reg. 6779 · Austrian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
knightChivalry and service in arms
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 d'or à un chevalier, arm. de toutes pièces au nat., la visière levée, le casque panaché de gu., posé sur une terrasse de sin., tenant de sa main dextre une lance soutenue du sol, la sen. appuyée sur sa hanche; au 2 d'azur à un arbre au nat., senestré d'un ours de sa., ramp. contre le fût. Cq. cour. C.: le chevalier, iss.; entre deux prob., coupées alt. d'or et d'azur. L. d'or et d'azur.”
AustriaVorarlberg Aut, c. 1772
Where the Ganahl Arms Were Recorded
Vorarlberg
Map of Austria showing where the Ganahl arms are recorded
The Ganahl arms were recorded in Vorarlberg Aut, c. 1772.
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.
Region
Vorarlberg
Town
Vorarlberg Aut
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Ganahl Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Ganahl arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Ganahl Family in Austria
The Ganahl family name is deeply rooted in the mountainous region of Vorarlberg, Austria, where records confirm their presence as early as 1772. The name is believed to have originated from the local Alemannic dialect, likely serving as a descriptive term or a shortened form of a given name common to the alpine valleys. During the eighteenth century, members of the family were often associated with the rugged, agrarian lifestyle of the Montafon valley, where they contributed to the development of local trade and mountain agriculture. As the family grew, they became well-integrated into the social and economic fabric of the region, eventually moving from small-scale farming into textile manufacturing and regional commerce. This transition helped the family establish a lasting legacy in Vorarlberg, turning a local surname into a recognized name within the industrial history of western Austria.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gano
An ancient Germanic personal name derived from the word for spear.
This name
GanahlA diminutive form indicating a descendant or follower of a person named Gano.
also spelled
Ganahl
Ganahl von Bergbrunn
Ganal tsu Bergbrun
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albrich, Thomas. Die Ganahls: Eine Vorarlberger Unternehmerfamilie. 1998
Tschaikner, Manfred. Geschichte des Montafons. 2005
Vorarlberger Landesarchiv, Personenstandsregister und Kirchenbücher der Pfarreien im Montafon
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
knightChivalry and service in arms
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
knightChivalry and service in arms
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
