A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Herrold family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7668 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'arg. à la demi-aigle de sa., bq. et m. d'or, mouv du parti: au 2 d'or à un héraut en costume officiel d'arg., bordé d'or, rebr. de gu., coiffé d'un chapeau de sa., panaché de trois pl. d'aut., une d'arg. entre deux de gu., la poitrine ch. d'une aigle ép. de sa., surmontée de la couronne impériale, ledit héraut tenant une verge sommée d'une aigle pareille et posé sur une terrasse de sin. L'écu bordé d'or. Cq. cour. C.: le héraut, iss., entre un vol de sa. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de sa., à sen. d'or et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1720
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Map of Germany showing where the Herrold arms are recorded
The Herrold arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1720.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit 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.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Germany when the Herrold 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 Herrold Family in Germany
The name Herrold traces its roots to the Germanic regions, where it functioned as a descriptive surname derived from the Old High German elements *heri*, meaning army, and *walt*, meaning rule or power. By the early 18th century, families bearing this name were well-established in the southern state of Bavaria. During this period, the region was characterized by a strong agrarian society and a complex system of local governance under the Wittelsbach dynasty. Families like the Herrolds were often integrated into the local village structures, where they served as farmers, craftsmen, or minor officials. Their presence in Bavaria by 1720 suggests they were part of the stable, tax-paying population that helped sustain the regional economy following the recovery from the earlier conflicts of the 17th century. As they moved through the Bavarian landscape, these families contributed to the cultural and social fabric of their local parishes, leaving behind records of births, marriages, and deaths that document their steady growth and integration into the German heartland.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
elephantGreat strength, wit and ambition
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 pal parti de gu. et d'arg., soutenu d'une fasce coupée de gu. sur arg., acc. en p. d'un éléphant au nat., la trompe abaissée, recouvert d'une housse, ch. de l'inscription (sur trois lignes): ALIT HONOS HEROEN.”
Austriac. 1559
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Map of Austria showing where the Herrold arms are recorded
The Herrold arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1559.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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
Tyrol
First recorded
1559
Granting Authority for the Herrold Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
1556–1564
Reigning in Germany when the Herrold arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Herrold Family in Austria
The Herrold family name has deep roots in the rugged landscape of the Austrian Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were established as early as 1559. During this period, the Tyrol region served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between the Italian peninsula and the German-speaking lands. Families living in these mountain valleys often held roles tied to the local administration or the management of alpine resources. Because the region was under the influence of the Habsburg dynasty, the Herrold family likely navigated a society shaped by strict social hierarchies and the growing influence of the Reformation. Life in the sixteenth-century Tyrol was defined by the harsh climate and the necessity of community cooperation, which allowed families like the Herrolds to maintain a consistent presence in the area for generations. Over time, the name evolved alongside the shifting borders and linguistic transitions of the Alpine region, reflecting the resilience of those who called the high mountains their home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Harwald
Derived from the Germanic elements for army and rule or power.
This name
HerroldA hereditary surname meaning ruler of the army or powerful warrior.
also spelled
Herolt
Harold
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
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
elephantGreat strength, wit and ambition
