A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Glöss family of Austria.
Reg. 4351 · Austrian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 parti: a. d'arg. au lion de gu.; b. de gu. au lion d'arg.; aux 2 et 3 c.-éc.: a. et d. parti-émanché de deux pièces et deux demies de gu. et d'arg.; b. et c. d'arg. à une étoile de gu. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° un lion iss. et cont. de gu.; 2° un homme iss., cour. d'or, hab. d'un parti d'or et de gu., les manches parties d'azur et d'or, supp. de sa main dextre une étoile de gu., la sen. appuyée sur sa hanche.”
TyrolTyrol, c. 1772
Where the Glöss Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Glöss arms are recorded
The Glöss arms were recorded in Tyrol, c. 1772.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Glöss Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Glöss arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
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.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Tyrol.
Origin & History of the Glöss Family in Austria
The family name Glöss originates from the German-speaking regions of the Alps, with documented roots tracing back to the Tyrol area by the year 1772. The name is likely derived from an old descriptive term or a local nickname used to identify individuals in rural communities. In the eighteenth century, families in this mountainous region were often tied to specific valleys or trade guilds, which helped define their social standing and daily life. As the Glöss family established themselves in Tyrol, they were part of a resilient population that navigated the complex political and agricultural shifts of the Habsburg Empire. Over time, the name became a marker of their specific ancestral lineage within the alpine landscape, reflecting the traditions and linguistic patterns of the people living in that rugged terrain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Glos
A Middle High German term referring to a bright or shining surface.
This name
GlössA descriptive nickname for someone with a shiny, polished, or radiant appearance.
also spelled
Gloess
Glosse
Gless
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
