A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grunenwald family of Germany.
Reg. 8131 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
Colours
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)
“De sa. à une licorne”
GermanyRatisbonne, c. 1765
Where the Grunenwald Arms Were Recorded
Ratisbonne
Map of Germany showing where the Grunenwald arms are recorded
The Grunenwald arms were recorded in Ratisbonne, 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 Grunenwald 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 Grunenwald Family in Germany
The surname Grunenwald is a topographic name that originates from the German language, combining the words for green and forest. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent or lush woodland area. By 1765, records confirm that members of the family were established in Ratisbonne, which is the French name for the historic city of Regensburg in Bavaria. During this period, the city served as a vital center for trade and politics within the Holy Roman Empire. Families living in this region often moved between rural forest lands and urban centers to pursue roles in craftsmanship or local administration. The presence of the family in Ratisbonne indicates they were part of a stable community during a time of significant cultural development in Southern Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grüner Wald
Green forest composed of the words for green and forest.
This name
GrunenwaldA topographic name for someone who lived near or in a green forest.
also spelled
Grunenwald
Grunenvalt
Greenenvalt
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 Regensburg, Bürgeraufnahmen und Zunftregister der Stadt Regensburg, 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.
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
