A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Griffen family of Germany.
Reg. 6446 · German, G–I
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
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un griffon de gu.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1765
Where the Griffen Arms Were Recorded
Map of Germany showing where the Griffen arms are recorded
The Griffen arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1765.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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 Griffen 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 Silesia.
Origin & History of the Griffen Family in Germany
The family name Griffen has deep roots that trace back to the historical region of Silesia. By the year 1765, records confirm that family members were already established in this area, which was then part of the Prussian Kingdom. The name itself is often linked to the mythical griffin, a creature known in folklore for its strength and guardianship. In the eighteenth century, Silesia was a vibrant crossroads of culture and trade, and families living there were often involved in agriculture or local craftsmanship. As the family grew, they became part of the complex social fabric of Central Europe, moving through the changing borders and political shifts that defined the region during the late 1700s. This early presence in Silesia serves as the foundation for the family history, marking the beginning of their journey through the centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gryphus
A mythical creature with the body of a lion and eagle head.
This name
GriffenDerived from a nickname for a person with a fierce or vigilant nature.
also spelled
Griffin
Grifen
Related arms
Griffinvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Knie, Johann Georg, Alphabetisch-statistisch-topographische Uebersicht der Dörfer, Flecken, Städte und andern Orte der königl. Preuß. Provinz Schlesien, 1845
Zimmermann, Friedrich Albert, Beyträge zur Beschreibung von Schlesien, 1783
State Archive in Wrocław (Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu), Akta stanu cywilnego (Civil Registry Records), 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
