A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goeckel family of Germany.
Reg. 9223 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“D'arg. à une double rose de gu., tigée de sin., feuillée de six pièces du même, posée sur un tertre de sa. C.: deux prob., coupées alt. de gu. et d'arg. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
Where the Goeckel Arms Were Recorded
Nuremberg
Map of Germany showing where the Goeckel arms are recorded
The Goeckel arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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 Goeckel 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 Goeckel Family in Germany
The surname Goeckel is deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, with historical records placing the family in the imperial city of Nuremberg by the year 1765. During the eighteenth century, Nuremberg served as a major center for trade, craftsmanship, and intellectual growth, which likely influenced the family’s social and economic standing. The name itself is thought to have originated as a descriptive nickname or a diminutive form of a given name, a common practice in medieval naming conventions where surnames often reflected a person’s occupation, physical traits, or local identity. As residents of a bustling urban hub, the early Goeckel family members were part of a society governed by strict guild systems and civic regulations. Their presence in such a prominent city suggests they were integrated into the professional life of the region, contributing to the vibrant culture that defined Nuremberg during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gock
A nickname derived from the word for a rooster or cockerel.
This name
GoeckelA diminutive form referring to a small or young rooster, often used as a nickname for a proud or strutting person.
also spelled
Goeckl
Gockel
Gekel
Related arms
Gockelvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Einwohnerverzeichnisse der Reichsstadt Nürnberg
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
