A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gehler family of Germany.
Reg. 7293 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
branchPeace, and new growth
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à une branche de rosier de sin., posée en barre, fleurie de trois roses de gu. Cq. cour. C.: un lion iss. d'or. L. d'or et de sa.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1765
Where the Gehler Arms Were Recorded
Map of Germany showing where the Gehler arms are recorded
The Gehler arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1765.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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 Gehler 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 Silesia.
Origin & History of the Gehler Family in Germany
The surname Gehler is rooted in the German language and is traditionally classified as a topographic or occupational name. It likely originated from the Middle High German word "gel," which refers to a yellow color, or it may have been used to describe someone who lived near a specific yellow-colored landmark or field. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historical region of Silesia. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the Gehler family were integrated into the social and economic fabric of this area, which was then part of the Prussian Kingdom. During this period, families in Silesia were often involved in agriculture, trade, or local craftsmanship, and the Gehler name became associated with the steady development of these rural and town communities. As the family grew, they contributed to the unique cultural identity of the region through their work and local community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gele
A Middle High German term referring to a yellow color.
This name
GehlerA descriptive occupational or nickname for someone with yellow hair or a pale complexion.
also spelled
Gehlere
Gehlerr
Gehl
Geler
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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu (State Archive in Wrocław), Akta gruntowe i podatkowe (Land and Tax Records), 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
branchPeace, and new growth
branchPeace, and new growth
