A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greiner family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0494 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à un homme pass., hab. d'une tunique d'or, coiffé d'un chapeau du même sommé de plumes de coq, le sabre à la hanche, décochant une flèche d'or d'un arc de gu. C.: l'homme iss., hab. et coiffé de sa.”
GermanyAugsbourg, c. 1765
Where the Greiner Arms Were Recorded
Augsbourg
Map of Germany showing where the Greiner arms are recorded
The Greiner arms were recorded in Augsbourg, 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 Greiner 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 Greiner Family in Germany
The surname Greiner is deeply rooted in the history of southern Germany, where it originated as a descriptive name for a person who was known to be a complainer or a grumbler. During the Middle Ages, many German families adopted names based on personality traits or local occupations, and Greiner likely emerged in the regions of Swabia and Bavaria. By the middle of the 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Augsburg. In 1765, Augsburg was a major center for trade and craftsmanship, providing a stable environment for families to grow and contribute to the local economy. As the family settled into this urban landscape, they became part of the vibrant social fabric of the Holy Roman Empire, participating in the daily life and professional guilds that defined the era. This transition from a rural origin to an established city life reflects the broader movement of people across German lands during the Enlightenment period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Tranché d'or sur gu.; à un griffon d'arg., tenant un sceptre du même, br. sur le tout. C.: le griffon, iss. L. d'or et de gu.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Greiner Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Greiner arms are recorded
The Greiner arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Greiner Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Greiner arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Greiner Family in Austria
The surname Greiner is deeply rooted in the Alpine landscape of Austria, particularly within the rugged terrain of Tyrol. Historically, the name is occupational in origin, derived from the Middle High German word "greine," which often referred to a person who worked as a grain measurer or a tax collector for agricultural goods. By the time records place the family firmly in Tyrol in 1772, the Greiners were likely established as part of the local agrarian society that defined the region. Life in the high valleys of the 18th century required great resilience, and families like the Greiners were essential to the local economy as they managed the trade and distribution of vital resources. Over generations, the family became woven into the social fabric of the Austrian mountains, moving from their roles in trade to becoming a recognized part of the rural community. Their presence in the historical records of the late 18th century reflects a period of stability where families often remained in the same mountain villages for centuries, building a legacy tied to the land and the local traditions of the Tyrol region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
greinen
Middle High German verb meaning to weep, wail, or complain.
This name
GreinerAn occupational or descriptive name for a person who frequently complained or lamented.
also spelled
Greyner
Greynor
Griner
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
Stadtarchiv Augsburg, Bürgeraufnahmen und Zunftregister, 1765
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.
knightChivalry and service in arms
knightChivalry and service in arms
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
