A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Holzschuh family of Germany.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'or à un sabot ou pantoufle de forme antique de sa., fourré de gu., la semelle d'arg., posé en fasce. C.: un buste de More, hab. de gu., rebr. d'or, coiffé d'un bonnet de gu. L. d'or et de gu.”
The Holzschuh arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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.
Reigning in Germany when the Holzschuh 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 Holzschuh is a descriptive German name that translates literally to wooden shoe. In the Middle Ages, this name was likely given as a nickname to a person who either crafted these sturdy clogs or wore them as their primary footwear. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the Holzschuh family were well-established residents of Nuremberg. During this period, Nuremberg was a thriving center of trade and craftsmanship, which provided a stable environment for families to build their livelihoods. The presence of the family in such a prominent urban hub suggests that they were likely integrated into the city’s active economic life, perhaps working as skilled artisans or merchants who contributed to the city’s reputation for high-quality goods.
Wood and shoe or protective covering for the foot.
