A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greenwald family of France.
Reg. 5717 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'arg. à trois arbres de sin., rangés en fasce; au 2 de gu. plein. C.: une branche d'or; entre un vol, coupé alt. d'arg. et de gu. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
FranceStrasbourg, c. 1663
Where the Greenwald Arms Were Recorded
Strasbourg
Map of France showing where the Greenwald arms are recorded
The Greenwald arms were recorded in Strasbourg, c. 1663.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Greenwald arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Greenwald Family in France
The surname Greenwald is a topographic name that originated in German-speaking regions, combining the words for green and forest. This name likely identified families who lived near a lush, vibrant woodland or a specific green clearing. By 1663, records confirm that members of the Greenwald family were established in Strasbourg, a city that served as a vital cultural and commercial crossroads between France and Germany. During this period, Strasbourg was a center of intellectual growth and trade, placing the family in a dynamic environment where they likely participated in the local craft guilds or merchant networks. As the family settled into this urban landscape, the name became a permanent marker of their heritage, reflecting a deep connection to the natural geography of their ancestral home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grün Wald
Germanic roots meaning green and forest or woodland.
This name
GreenwaldA topographic name for someone who lived near a green forest or woodland.
also spelled
Gruenwald
Grunwalt
Grunwaldt
Greenwald
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
Archives de la Ville et de l'Eurométropole de Strasbourg, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
