A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gwiazdowski family of Poland.
Reg. 0088 · Polish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Coupé: au 1 les armes de Belty; au 2 les armes de Leliwa 1. Cq. cour. C.: une Fortune de carn., posée sur une boule d'azur, tenant un voile du même au-dessus de sa tête; entre un vol de sa.”
CourlandCourland, c. 1822
Where the Gwiazdowski Arms Were Recorded
Map of Poland showing where the Gwiazdowski arms are recorded
The Gwiazdowski arms were recorded in Courland, c. 1822.
Courland was Baltic coast country held in large estates by a small number of families. They kept their land for generations and served as officers abroad, and both landholding and service brought arms with them.
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
Courland
First recorded
1822
Granting Authority for the Gwiazdowski Arms
Ennoblement by the Sejm
Author: Olek Remesz · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Poland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Poland
Polish noble families shared a single coat of arms across many different surnames, creating large clans rather than individual designs. These symbols were held collectively by all members of the clan regardless of their specific family name. When a new family joined the nobility, they were adopted into an existing clan and began using that group's established shield.
Granting authority
The Sejm, which was the Polish parliament, held the power to grant noble status and the right to bear arms.
How they got arms
Families typically received their coat of arms through a formal act of ennoblement granted by the Sejm for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Crown Metrica, which served as the central archive for state documents starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Courland.
Origin & History of the Gwiazdowski Family in Poland
The surname Gwiazdowski originates from the Polish word gwiazda, which translates to star. Families bearing this name were historically associated with the landed gentry and were often found in regions where Polish influence intersected with Baltic territories. By 1822, records confirm that members of the Gwiazdowski family were established in the historical region of Courland, which is located in modern-day Latvia. At that time, Courland was part of the Russian Empire, and families like the Gwiazdowskis often served in administrative or agricultural roles within the local society. Their presence in this area reflects the movement of families across borders during the nineteenth century as they sought new opportunities in the Baltic provinces. This migration pattern highlights how the family adapted to life in a multicultural region while maintaining their distinct ancestral name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gwiazda
A celestial body that shines in the night sky.
This name
GwiazdowskiRefers to a person who lived near a place named after a star or a star-shaped landmark.
also spelled
Gwiazdowsky
Giazdovski
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Latvian State Historical Archives, Kurzemes guberņas muižniecības reģistri (Records of the Courland Governorate Nobility), 1822
Dziadulewicz, Włodzimierz, Herbarz rodzin tatarskich w Polsce (Genealogy of Tatar families in Poland), 1929. (Note: This text provides context on the historical distribution of Polish surnames)
Krzyżanowski, Stanisław, Dawne mazowieckie miasta (Old Masovian towns), 1916. (Note: This text provides historical context on the geographical origins of the Gwiazdowski name)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
