A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grossen family of Germany.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ec. d'arg. et de sin. C.: un chapeau pyramidal aux armes de l'écu, retr. d'un parti d'arg. et de sin.”
The Grossen arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1765.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often 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.
Reigning in Germany when the Grossen arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Grossen finds its roots in the German language, where it is derived from the word "gross," meaning large or great. Historically, this name likely functioned as a descriptive nickname for a person of significant physical stature or perhaps someone who held a position of importance within their local community. By 1765, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the region of Saxony. During this period, Saxony was a major center for agriculture and trade, and families like the Grossens were often deeply integrated into the village life of the area. As the family grew, they likely participated in the local customs and industries that defined the Saxon landscape, helping to shape the cultural identity of the region through generations of craftsmanship and community service.
Old High German term meaning large, tall, or great.
