A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greiss family of Austria.
Reg. 8075 · Austrian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 d'arg., à un pélican avec ses petits sur un tertre au nat., le vol levé du pélican coupé à dextre d'arg. sur gu., à sen. d'or sur azur; aux 2 et 3 bandé d'azur et d'or. Cq. cour. C.: les meubles du 1. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Greiss Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Greiss arms are recorded
The Greiss 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 Greiss 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 Austria when the Greiss 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 Greiss Family in Austria
The surname Greiss is deeply rooted in the Alpine region of Tyrol, where families bearing this name were well-established by the late 18th century. The name itself is likely derived from the Middle High German word "grieß," which refers to gravel, sand, or a sandy riverbank. In the rugged landscape of the Tyrol mountains, such descriptive names were often given to families who lived near specific geographic features like rocky streams or stony fields. By 1772, records indicate that the Greiss family was integrated into the local community, likely participating in the traditional agricultural and trade practices that defined life in the Austrian Alps during that era. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the unique cultural identity of the Tyrolean people through their work and daily lives in the mountain valleys.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gries
Middle High German term for gravel, sand, or a sandy shore.
This name
GreissA topographic name for someone who lived near a sandy area or gravelly riverbank.
also spelled
Greys
Grice
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kranzmayer, Eberhard. Ortsnamenbuch von Kärnten. 1956
Schweizer, Friedrich. Tiroler Familiennamen. 1982
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Tiroler Steuerkataster
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
