A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ginzburg family of Germany.
Reg. 1732 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à trois gobelets d'arg., cerclés d'or. C.: un demi-vol, aux armes de l'écu.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Ginzburg Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Ginzburg arms are recorded
The Ginzburg arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Ginzburg 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 Ginzburg Family in Germany
The surname Ginzburg is a topographic name that originated from the town of Günzburg, located in the Bavarian region of Germany. During the eighteenth century, the name served as a way to identify families who had migrated from this specific town to other parts of the region. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Ginzburg family were well-established residents within Bavaria. At this time, many families adopted surnames based on their place of origin to distinguish themselves in growing communities. As these individuals moved across Europe for trade or religious reasons, they carried the name with them, helping it evolve into the various spellings seen today. This naming tradition reflects the common practice of using geographic markers to create a lasting family identity during a period of significant social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Günzburg
A town in Bavaria derived from the river Günz and fortress.
This name
GinzburgAn Ashkenazi habitational surname referring to families originating from the town of Günzburg.
also spelled
Ginzburg
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
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
