A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goetzinger family of Germany.
Reg. 2547 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à un mur crén. d'arg., occupant la moitié inférieure de l'écu, soutenant un lion ramp. d'or, tenant entre ses pattes la moitié dextre d'une roue de moulin du même. C.: le lion, iss., tenant la demi-roue. L. d'or et de sa.”
WurttembergNassau · Wurttemberg, c. 1621
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Map of Germany showing where the Goetzinger arms are recorded
The Goetzinger arms were recorded in Wurttemberg, c. 1621.
Wurttemberg was southern German country of small estates and well-off market towns. Both landowners and leading townsmen kept arms there, so the region carries far more names than its size suggests.
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.
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
1619–1637
Reigning in Germany when the Goetzinger 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 Wurttemberg.
Origin & History of the Goetzinger Family in Germany
The family name Goetzinger originates from the southwestern region of Germany known as Württemberg. Historical records confirm that members of the family were living in this area by 1621. The name itself is likely a topographic or habitational surname, which means it was used to describe where a person lived or the specific land they farmed. In the German language, the suffix "-inger" often indicates that a person belonged to a specific community or came from a particular settlement. During the early 17th century, the region was defined by small agricultural villages and tight-knit rural societies. Families like the Goetzingers were typically involved in local trade or farming, which allowed them to establish deep roots in the Swabian landscape. Over time, the name became a permanent identifier for these families as they moved through the towns and parishes of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gott
The Germanic word for God or a divine being.
This name
GoetzingerA habitational name for someone originating from the town of Götzingen in Germany.
also spelled
Oetingerr
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann. Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Familiennamen. 1957
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.