A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grif family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2613 · Austrian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De sa. à un griffon d'arg., arm. et lamp. d'or.”
AustriaVienne, c. 1772
Where the Grif Arms Were Recorded
Vienne
Map of Austria showing where the Grif arms are recorded
The Grif arms were recorded in Vienne, c. 1772.
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
Vienne
Town
Vienne
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Grif 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 Grif 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 Grif Family in Austria
The history of the Grif family in Austria is deeply connected to the vibrant urban life of Vienna during the late eighteenth century. By 1772, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents within the city, a time when Vienna served as the bustling cultural and administrative heart of the Habsburg Monarchy. During this era, families with this name were likely integrated into the professional or artisan classes that kept the imperial capital running. Because Vienna was a major crossroads for trade and migration, the Grif name was part of a diverse social landscape where families often moved between different districts to pursue new work opportunities. While the name itself may have roots in older linguistic traditions, its presence in the city archives during the 1770s highlights a family that was firmly settled and contributing to the local community long before the major political shifts of the nineteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De sa. à un griffon cour., tenant une épée, le tout d'or. Cq. cour. C.: le griffon, iss.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1765
Where the Grif Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Grif arms are recorded
The Grif arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
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 Austria when the Grif 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Grif Family in Germany
The family name Grif finds its roots in the historical landscape of Bavaria, where records confirm the presence of family members by the year 1765. In the German language, names like Grif often evolved from descriptive nicknames or occupational titles tied to the local dialect of the region. During the eighteenth century, Bavaria was a collection of rural communities and growing market towns where families were deeply connected to the land and the local parish. Life for the Grif family during this era was likely defined by the agricultural cycles of southern Germany and the social structures of the Holy Roman Empire. As the family moved through these small Bavarian villages, they helped shape the local culture and contributed to the development of their community over several generations. This period marked a time of stability and growth, allowing the family to establish deep roots that would persist long after the eighteenth century had ended.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gryp
A mythical creature with the body of a lion and eagle head.
This name
GrifDerived from a nickname for a person with a sharp or predatory nature.
also spelled
Gryf
Grif
Grife
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Wiener Stadt- und Landesarchiv, Magistrat der Stadt Wien, Untertanenverzeichnisse
Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Allgemeines Verwaltungsarchiv, Niederösterreichische Regierung
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griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
