A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grantz family of Germany.
Reg. 4557 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Tranché-enclavé: au 1 de sa. au lion d'or, cour. de feuillage de sin. et tenant une épée d'arg.; au 2 bandé d'arg. et de gu., de quatre pièces. Cq. cour. C.: un bras arm., posé en pal, tenant une couronne de feuillage de sin.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1610
Where the Grantz Arms Were Recorded
Map of Germany showing where the Grantz arms are recorded
The Grantz arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1610.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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.
Emperor Rudolf II
Sovereign of the period
Emperor Rudolf II
1576–1612
Reigning in Germany when the Grantz 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 Silesia.
Origin & History of the Grantz Family in Germany
The family name Grantz has deep historical roots in the region of Silesia, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1610. During this period, Silesia was a crossroads of culture and trade located within the Holy Roman Empire. The name likely evolved from regional dialects and served as a way to identify individuals based on their local community or specific traits. Families in this area often worked in agriculture or skilled crafts, which allowed them to establish stable households that lasted for generations. As the family grew, they moved through the changing political landscapes of Central Europe, carrying their name across borders and into new towns. By settling in Silesia during the seventeenth century, the early Grantz family became part of a long tradition of people who shaped the social and economic fabric of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
grandis
Latin term meaning large, great, or tall.
This name
GrantzA habitational or descriptive name referring to a person of large stature or high status.
also spelled
Grants
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
State Archive in Wrocław (Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu), Księgi metrykalne i akta stanu cywilnego, 1610–1800
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
