A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Groft family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2320 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ec.: au 1 d'or à un griffon de sa., tenant une épée au nat.; aux 2 et 3 de gu. chapé-ployé d'arg., à trois roses de l'un à l'autre; au 4 d'azur à un cygne d'arg., cour. d'or, posé sur un tertre de sin., le vol levé, la poitrine percée d'une flèche au nat. en barre, la pointe en haut. Cq. cour. C.: le cygne, dans l'attitude d'une aigle héraldique, entre deux banderoles coupées, à dextre de sa. sur or, à sen. de gu. sur arg. L. conformes aux émaux des banderoles.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Groft arms are recorded
The Groft arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
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 Germany when the Groft 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 Groft Family in Germany
The family name Groft originates from the historical regions of southern Germany, specifically within the cultural landscape of Bavaria. During the mid-18th century, the name was closely tied to the agrarian traditions of the Bavarian countryside, where families often lived in small, tight-knit village communities. By 1765, records indicate that members of the Groft family were established residents in this area, likely working as skilled farmers or craftsmen. In the German language, the root of the name is often associated with terms describing the physical terrain or the specific plots of land that a family cultivated. Life in Bavaria during this period was defined by local customs and the influence of regional administrative districts, which helped shape the identity of families as they managed their households and contributed to the local economy. As these early ancestors navigated the social structures of the Holy Roman Empire, their name became a permanent marker of their heritage and their long-standing connection to the Bavarian soil.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
leafHappiness and abundance
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 trois feuilles de nénuphar de sin., tigées, les tiges en haut. C.: une feuille de l'écu.”
NetherlandsMiddelbourg, c. 1815
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Netherlands showing where the Groft arms are recorded
The Groft arms were recorded in Middelbourg, c. 1815.
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
Middelbourg
Town
Middelbourg
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Groft Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Groft arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Groft Family in Netherlands
The history of the Groft family in the Netherlands is deeply connected to the bustling maritime environment of Middelburg. By 1815, this city served as a vital hub for trade and administration in the province of Zeeland, providing a stable foundation for families to establish their roots. The name itself likely originated as a topographic descriptor, referring to individuals who lived near a specific piece of land or a small enclosure. During the early nineteenth century, Middelburg was recovering from the impacts of the Napoleonic Wars, and the presence of the Groft family during this period suggests they were part of a resilient community navigating the transition into the new Kingdom of the Netherlands. As the family settled into the local social fabric, they became part of the long tradition of Dutch urban life, where surnames were increasingly formalized through official civil registries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Graf
A German noble title equivalent to a count or earl.
This name
GroftAn occupational or status-based surname referring to someone who served a count.
also spelled
Grafft
Graftt
Graeft
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
leafHappiness and abundance
