A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gropp family of Germany.
Reg. 6913 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ec.: au 1 parti d'azur et d'or, à trois fleurs-de-lis de l'un à l'autre, 2 et 1; au 2 parti d'azur et d'or, à trois annelets de l'un à l'autre, 2 et 1; au 3 parti”
GermanySchweinfurt Bav, c. 1598
Where the Gropp Arms Were Recorded
Schweinfurt
Map of Germany showing where the Gropp arms are recorded
The Gropp arms were recorded in Schweinfurt Bav, c. 1598.
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.
Emperor Rudolf II
Sovereign of the period
Emperor Rudolf II
1576–1612
Reigning in Germany when the Gropp 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 Gropp Family in Germany
The family name Gropp is deeply rooted in the history of the Franconia region of Germany. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of Schweinfurt by the year 1598. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals who held positions of civic responsibility or worked as skilled tradespeople within the bustling market town. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, as the Middle High German word "grop" was often used to describe someone who was sturdy, robust, or physically imposing. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic fabric of Schweinfurt, contributing to the local community through their roles in city governance and regional commerce. This early presence in a significant trading hub allowed the family to maintain a consistent record of their activities, providing a clear window into the lives of these early ancestors.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
krop
Middle High German term for a crop, craw, or goiter.
This name
GroppA nickname for a person with a prominent throat or a stout, pot-bellied individual.
also spelled
Grop
Grope
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Schweinfurt, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Schweinfurt
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
