A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gier family of Germany.
Reg. 0698 · 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 Gier Arms Were Recorded
Nördlingen
Map of Germany showing where the Gier arms are recorded
The Gier 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 Gier 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 Gier Family in Germany
The family name Gier has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname. In Middle High German, the word *gier* referred to a sense of greed or intense desire, and it was often used as a label for someone who was particularly ambitious or eager. By the middle of the 18th century, the family was well-established in the historic town of Nördlingen. Records from 1765 confirm their presence in this Bavarian city, which was famous for its medieval walls and its role as a bustling center of trade. Families like the Giers during this period were often involved in local craftsmanship or agricultural work, helping to sustain the economy of the region. As they lived in Nördlingen, they became part of a long tradition of families who helped shape the social and cultural life of the town during the late 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gier
Derived from the Middle High German word for greed or desire.
This name
GierA nickname for a person who was considered particularly greedy, covetous, or eager.
also spelled
Geyer
Gier
Guyer
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
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
