A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Griner family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8623 · 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 Griner Arms Were Recorded
Augsbourg
Map of Germany showing where the Griner arms are recorded
The Griner 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 Griner 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 Griner Family in Germany
The surname Griner originates from the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, where it functioned as a descriptive occupational name. It is derived from the Middle High German word "grine," which referred to a person who was often grumpy, grimacing, or prone to complaining. By the mid-18th century, the family was well-established in the historic city of Augsburg, a major center for trade and craftsmanship in Bavaria. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the Griner family were active participants in the social and economic life of this region during the late Holy Roman Empire. As residents of a prominent urban hub, these early ancestors likely worked as skilled laborers or merchants, contributing to the vibrant guild culture that defined Augsburg at the time. The transition of the name from a simple nickname to a formal family identifier reflects the broader trend of surname adoption that occurred across German lands as populations grew and record-keeping became more standardized.
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 Griner Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Griner arms are recorded
The Griner 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 Griner 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 Griner 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 Griner Family in Austria
The family name Griner has deep roots in the mountainous landscape of the Austrian Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1772. The name itself is likely derived from the Middle High German word *grine*, which was often used to describe someone who lived near a sandy or gravelly area. In the rugged terrain of the Alpine valleys, families frequently took on surnames based on the specific features of the land they farmed or inhabited. By the late 18th century, the Griner family was part of the traditional rural society of the region, where life revolved around mountain agriculture and local trade. These early ancestors lived through a period of significant social change in the Habsburg Empire, as the region transitioned from feudal structures toward more organized provincial administration. Their presence in Tyrol reflects the broader history of families who settled in these high-altitude communities and maintained strong ties to the land for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Greiner
Derived from the Middle High German word for a quarrelsome person.
This name
GrinerAn occupational or descriptive surname for someone known to be argumentative or contentious.
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 der Stadt Augsburg, 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
