A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Graefe family of Germany.
Reg. 2715 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Parti: au 1 d'azur à la demi-aigle d'arg., mouv. du parti; au 2 d'azur à deux cercles d'étoiles d'or, l'un sur l'autre. C.: un panache de cinq pl. d'aut.: d'azur, de gu., d'azur, d'arg. et d'azur, br. sur une croix latine d'or posée en fasce, la croison à sen. - Armes adoptées plus tard: D'azur à deux cercles d'étoiles (5) d'or, l'un sur l'autre. Cq. cour. C.: une étoile (4) d'or, entre un vol de sa. L. d'or et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Graefe Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Graefe arms are recorded
The Graefe arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Graefe 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 Graefe Family in Germany
The surname Graefe is a variation of the German word Graf, which historically served as a title for a count or a high-ranking administrative official. During the Middle Ages, names were often adopted to describe a person’s occupation, social status, or role within their local community. By the time members of the family were documented in Bavaria in 1765, the name had evolved from a formal title into a hereditary family name used to identify specific households. Families with this name were typically part of the emerging middle class, often working as skilled tradespeople, farmers, or local civil servants. Because Bavaria was a region defined by strong local traditions and organized record-keeping, these early ancestors were likely deeply integrated into the social and economic life of their villages. Over generations, the name became a permanent marker of the family’s identity as they contributed to the growth and stability of their Bavarian communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Graf
A German noble title equivalent to a count or earl.
This name
GraefeA status-based surname denoting someone who worked for or was associated with a count.
also spelled
Graeffe
Grafa
Graef
Related arms
Bonnsimilar arms
Hertinghausensimilar arms
Vegrisimilar arms
von Hoecksimilar arms
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
