A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geller family of Austria.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ec. de gu. et d'or. Cq. cour. C.: deux prob., coupées alt. de gu. et d'or.”
The Geller arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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 Austria in this period.
Reigning in Austria when the Geller arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Geller is rooted in the Germanic linguistic tradition, likely originating as an occupational or descriptive name. In many regions, the name is associated with the Middle High German word "gellen," which means to yell or to ring out, suggesting that early ancestors may have been known for their loud voices or perhaps worked as town criers or bell ringers. By the late 18th century, the family was well-established in the Tyrol region of the Alps. This area served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between German and Italian territories. Living in this mountainous landscape required the family to be resilient and adaptable, often working in agriculture, mining, or local crafts that defined the Tyrolean economy in 1772. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of these alpine villages, contributing to the unique traditions and history of the region.
A Middle High German term referring to a loud or shrill sound.
