Map of Germany showing where the Kalb arms are recorded
The Kalb arms were recorded in Francfort s, 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 Kalb 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 Kalb Family in Germany
The surname Kalb is a classic example of a German occupational or descriptive name that emerged during the Middle Ages. In the German language, the word *Kalb* translates directly to calf, and it was likely first used as a nickname for a person who was considered youthful, energetic, or perhaps gentle in nature. By the time records place members of the family in Frankfurt during the mid-18th century, the name had long been established across various German-speaking regions. Families with this name were often involved in trade or agriculture, reflecting the common practice of adopting surnames based on daily life or physical characteristics. As these families settled in urban centers like Frankfurt, they became part of the growing middle class that helped shape the economic and social landscape of the city during the 1700s.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“D'or au chev. de gu., ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis de sa. C.: un homme iss., hab. de sa., coiffé d'un bonnet du même, retr. d'or, portant dans son bras sen. un bâton d'or. L. d'or et de sa.”
FranceStrasbourg, c. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the Kalb arms are recorded
The Kalb arms were recorded in Strasbourg, c. 1663.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Germany when the Kalb arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Kalb Family in France
The surname Kalb carries a deep connection to the Alsace region, particularly within the city of Strasbourg during the seventeenth century. In the German language, the name translates to calf, which suggests that the family’s earliest ancestors likely worked as livestock farmers or butchers. By 1663, records confirm that members of the Kalb family were established residents of Strasbourg, a city that served as a unique cultural bridge between France and the German-speaking territories. During this era, the region experienced significant political shifts as it transitioned under the influence of the French Crown. Families like the Kalbs lived through these changes while maintaining their local identity, often navigating the complex bureaucracy of a city that blended Germanic traditions with French administrative control. Their presence in the city archives from this period highlights a long-standing history of urban life, trade, and community involvement that helped shape the family name in the borderlands of Eastern France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kalber
A young bovine or calf.
This name
KalbAn occupational name for a butcher or a nickname for someone resembling a calf.
also spelled
Kalbe
Kalben
Kalber
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Institut für Stadtgeschichte Frankfurt am Main, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Frankfurt am Main
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
