A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grässl family of Germany.
Reg. 1671 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lambGentleness, patience and faith
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à un mouton ramp. d'arg. C.: le mouton, iss.”
GermanyRatisbonne, c. 1765
Where the Grässl Arms Were Recorded
Ratisbonne
Map of Germany showing where the Grässl arms are recorded
The Grässl arms were recorded in Ratisbonne, c. 1765.
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 Grässl 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 Grässl Family in Germany
The family name Grässl is rooted in the Bavarian region of Germany, where it developed as a descriptive surname. It is derived from the Middle High German word "gras," which refers to grass or pasture land. This suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or people who lived near grassy fields or meadows. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the Grässl family were well established in Ratisbonne, which is the French name for the historic city of Regensburg. During this period, the city served as a major center for trade and politics within the Holy Roman Empire. Families living in this area often held positions in local guilds or served the regional administration, helping to shape the social fabric of the city. As the family grew, they became part of the local history of the Danube region, maintaining their presence in the area for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grass
A Middle High German term referring to grass or pasture land.
This name
GrässlA topographic name for someone who lived near a grassy area or a meadow.
also spelled
Grasl
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bauer, Hermann. Regensburg: Geschichte und Gegenwart. 1970
Gottschald, Max. Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung. 1982
Stadtarchiv Regensburg. Bürger- und Handwerksrollen der Stadt Regensburg. 1765
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lambGentleness, patience and faith
lambGentleness, patience and faith
