A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grathwohl family of Germany.
Reg. 7619 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 de sa. à un griffon d'or; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à un more pass., supp. de sa main dextre une étoile d'or. Cq. cour. C.: une aigle de sa. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Grathwohl arms are recorded
The Grathwohl 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 Grathwohl 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 Grathwohl Family in Germany
The family name Grathwohl originates from the southern regions of Germany, specifically within the historical borders of Bavaria. The name is classified as a topographic or descriptive surname, likely derived from Middle High German terms that suggest a connection to someone who lived near a specific type of clearing or a well-managed piece of land. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the Grathwohl family were well-established in Bavarian communities. During this era, families with this name were often involved in agriculture or skilled craftsmanship, which were the primary ways people supported themselves in rural southern Germany. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of their villages through trade and community service. This deep connection to the Bavarian landscape helped define the identity of the family for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grat-Wohl
Derived from Middle High German words for favor or pleasure and well-being.
This name
GrathwohlRefers to a person who is well-favored, pleasant, or someone who brings joy and prosperity.
also spelled
Gratwohl
Gratwol
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
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
