A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gohl family of Germany.
Reg. 6147 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur au lion d'or; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à un héron au nat., cour. d'or, posé sur un tertre de sin. Cq. cour. C.: le héron, ess., tenant en son bec un rameau d'olivier de sin. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1633
Where the Gohl Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Gohl arms are recorded
The Gohl arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1633.
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.
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
1619–1637
Reigning in Germany when the Gohl 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Gohl Family in Germany
The family name Gohl has deep roots in the southern German region of Bavaria, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1633. During this period, the Thirty Years' War caused significant upheaval across the German states, forcing many families to move or adapt to changing local conditions. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older Germanic terms related to a person’s physical appearance or their specific role within a village community. As the family settled into Bavarian life, they likely worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople, which was typical for families in that area during the seventeenth century. Over time, the Gohl name became a permanent part of the local landscape, reflecting the resilience of families who maintained their identity despite the frequent political and social shifts occurring throughout Central Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Goll
A Middle High German term referring to a hollow or depression.
This name
GohlA topographic name for someone who lived near a hollow or valley.
also spelled
Goehl de Pothorstein
Goehl
Gohl
Gole de Potorstine
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv), Kurbayern Hofkammer Buchhaltung (1633)
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt (1967)
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen (1971)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
