A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geier family of Germany.
Reg. 7907 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
Colours
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)
“D'azur à un vautour d'arg., posé sur un monticule d'or. C.: le vautour. L. d'or et d'azur.”
GermanyNördlingen Bav, c. 1765
Where the Geier Arms Were Recorded
Nördlingen
Map of Germany showing where the Geier arms are recorded
The Geier arms were recorded in Nördlingen Bav, 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 Geier 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 Geier Family in Germany
The surname Geier is a German occupational and descriptive name that originates from the Middle High German word *gīr*, which translates to vulture or hawk. In medieval times, such names were often assigned as nicknames to individuals who displayed sharp vision, a predatory nature, or perhaps a specific skill in hunting or falconry. By the time the family was firmly established in the Bavarian town of Nördlingen in 1765, the name had long been integrated into the local social fabric of the Holy Roman Empire. Nördlingen was a significant center for trade and craftsmanship during this era, and families like the Geiers often held roles as skilled artisans or merchants who contributed to the economic stability of the walled city. The presence of the family in this region reflects the broader movement of German lineages who maintained consistent roots in specific urban centers for generations, preserving their identity through the transition from the late medieval period into the early modern age.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gīr
Old High German word for a bird of prey or vulture.
This name
GeierA topographic or occupational surname originally used to describe a person with sharp, predatory characteristics.
also spelled
Geyer
Gier
Guyer
Related arms
Geyervariant spelling
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
Stadtarchiv Nördlingen, Bürgerbuch der Stadt Nördlingen, 1765
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.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
