A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gute family of Germany.
Reg. 3577 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à un poisson nageant d'arg., la tête sommée d'une ramure de cerf au nat. C.: le poisson.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1765
Where the Gute Arms Were Recorded
Map of Germany showing where the Gute arms are recorded
The Gute arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1765.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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 Gute 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 Silesia.
Origin & History of the Gute Family in Germany
The surname Gute traces its roots to the historical region of Silesia, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1765. During this period, Silesia was a vibrant territory caught between the cultural influences of Prussia and the Austrian Empire. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, as the word "gut" translates to "good" in German. In the eighteenth century, families often adopted surnames based on personal traits or moral reputations to distinguish themselves within growing rural communities. By settling in Silesia, the early Gute family became part of a region known for its complex transition through various European powers, which shaped the social and economic lives of its inhabitants. These early ancestors were likely farmers or tradespeople who contributed to the local development of the area during a time of significant administrative change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gut
Old High German term meaning good, valid, or capable.
This name
GuteA descriptive surname for a person considered virtuous, kind, or of high social standing.
also spelled
Gute
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Knie, Johann Georg. Alphabetisch-statistisch-topographische Uebersicht der Dörfer, Flecken, Städte und andern Orte der königl. Preuß. Provinz Schlesien. 1845
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
