A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Griesinger family of Germany.
Reg. 1197 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à deux flèches d'or, arm. d'arg., passées en saut.; à un coeur de gu., br. sur le point d'intersection. Cq. cour. C.: un homme iss., hab. de gu., bout. d'or, tenant de sa main dextre un livre ouvert. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
SaxonySaxony, c. 1819
Where the Griesinger Arms Were Recorded
Saxony
Map of Germany showing where the Griesinger arms are recorded
The Griesinger arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1819.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often 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.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Griesinger arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Saxony.
Origin & History of the Griesinger Family in Germany
The name Griesinger is rooted in the linguistic traditions of southern and central Germany, where it functioned as a topographical surname. It likely originated as a way to identify individuals who lived near a specific type of terrain, such as a gravelly or sandy area, as the root word "Gries" refers to coarse sand or grit in Middle High German. By the early 19th century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Saxony. Records from 1819 confirm that members of the Griesinger line were active participants in the local social and economic life of that area during a time of significant transition in German history. These early ancestors were likely part of the growing middle class, contributing to the agricultural or artisanal development of their Saxon communities as the region moved toward industrialization.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gries
A Middle High German term referring to gravel, sand, or a sandy area.
This name
GriesingerA topographic name for someone who lived near a sandy or gravelly riverbank or field.
also spelled
Griesing
Greesinger
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, Bestand 10036 (Finanzministerium), 1819
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
