A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gockel family of Germany.
Reg. 6564 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un coq de sa., coll. d'or, posé sur une muraille crén. au nat., en p. de l'écu. C.: le coq, soutenu d'une couronne murale.”
GermanyUlm, c. 1765
Where the Gockel Arms Were Recorded
Ulm
Map of Germany showing where the Gockel arms are recorded
The Gockel arms were recorded in Ulm, 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 Gockel 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 Gockel Family in Germany
The surname Gockel originates from the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it likely began as a descriptive nickname. In Middle High German, the term was often associated with the word for a rooster, suggesting that the name may have been given to someone with a proud personality or a loud, clear voice. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Ulm. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the Gockel family were active participants in the social and economic life of this important trading hub. During this era, Ulm was a free imperial city known for its skilled craftsmen and merchants, and the Gockel family likely integrated into these professional guilds. As they settled into the region, they contributed to the local community through their work and daily interactions, helping to anchor the family name in the history of southern Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gock
A Middle High German term for a rooster or male bird.
This name
GockelA diminutive form used as a nickname for a proud or strutting person.
also spelled
Gockele
Gockell
Gokel
Related arms
Goeckelvariant 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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Stadtarchiv Ulm, Bürgeraufnahmen und Zunftprotokolle der Reichsstadt Ulm
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
