A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Götz family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3575 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
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)
“De gu. à un homme de carn., ceint d'une toile d'or, empoignant de sa main dextre une foudre au nat. C.: l'homme, iss. L.: d'arg. et de gu.”
FranconiaFranconia, c. 1765
Where the Götz Arms Were Recorded
Franconia
Map of Germany showing where the Götz arms are recorded
The Götz arms were recorded in Franconia, c. 1765.
Franconia was a patchwork of small territories in central Germany, full of minor landowners and prosperous market towns. So many separate households held land there that the region produced a great many coats of 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.
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 Götz 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 Franconia.
Origin & History of the Götz Family in Germany
The surname Götz originated as a short form of the Germanic name Gottfried, which translates to "peace of God." During the Middle Ages, it became common for people to shorten long, formal names into nicknames, and Götz emerged as a popular choice across German-speaking lands. By the time your ancestors were documented in the Franconia region in 1765, the name had been established for centuries as a reflection of both religious devotion and local identity. Franconia was a central hub for this name, as the region served as a crossroads for trade and migration. Families carrying the name during this era were often deeply rooted in the agricultural or artisan communities that defined the landscape of the Holy Roman Empire. The presence of your family in 1765 places them in a period of significant social change, where record-keeping by local parishes began to provide a clearer picture of how families lived, worked, and moved across the German states.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une fasce coupée d'arg. sur gu., acc. de trois roses d'arg., bout. d'or. C.: un buste d'homme, hab. aux armes de l'écu. L.: d'arg. et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Götz Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Götz arms are recorded
The Götz arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Götz Family in Switzerland
The surname Götz has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, originating as a shortened form of the name Gottfried, which translates to "God’s peace." By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Basel, Switzerland. Records confirm that members of the Götz family were active residents there by 1745, participating in the city’s vibrant urban life during a period of significant economic transition. Because Basel served as a major crossroads for trade and intellectual exchange, the family likely integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the social structure of the time. While the name itself carries ancient Germanic origins, its history in Switzerland reflects the broader movement of families who settled in urban centers to seek new opportunities in industry and civic service. Through these early residents, the Götz name became a part of the long-standing tradition of Swiss citizenship and community building that characterizes the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godfrid
Derived from the Germanic elements for god and peace.
This name
GötzA short form of Gottfried, signifying one who is protected by divine peace.
also spelled
Gots
Goetz
Related arms
Klose de Klosenausimilar arms
Milan-Viscontisimilar arms
Redschansimilar arms
Goetzvariant 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 Familiennamen, geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Staatsarchiv Bamberg, Kirchenbücher der Pfarreien im Hochstift Bamberg, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
knightChivalry and service in arms
knightChivalry and service in arms
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
