A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geissler family of Germany.
Reg. 1322 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'azur à une licorne saillante d'or, soutenue d'un tertre d'arg. C.: la licorne, iss.: entre deux prob., coupées d'arg. sur azur, ornées chacune dans son embouchure de trois pl. d'aut., celles à dextre d'arg., d'azur et d'or, celle à sen. d'or, d'azur et d'arg L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
Where the Geissler Arms Were Recorded
Nuremberg
Map of Germany showing where the Geissler arms are recorded
The Geissler 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 Geissler 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 Geissler Family in Germany
The surname Geissler is rooted in the German language and historically served as an occupational name. It is derived from the Middle High German word "geiseler," which referred to a person who worked as a goatherd or a keeper of goats. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Nuremberg, which was a major center for trade and craftsmanship in the Holy Roman Empire. During this era, families like the Geisslers often lived in urban hubs where they contributed to the local economy as skilled artisans or merchants. As the name spread across German-speaking regions, it evolved from a simple description of a person’s daily work into a permanent family identity passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Geis
A goat or a person who herds goats.
This name
GeisslerAn occupational surname for a goat herder or someone with goat-like characteristics.
also spelled
Geisler
Geisseler
Gisler
Related arms
Graffsimilar arms
Geislervariant 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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Stadt 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.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
