A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Karas family of Germany.
Reg. 4590 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 de gu. sur azur; à deux poissons d'arg., passés en saut., br. sur le coupé, acc. en chef d'une étoile d'or et en p. d'un croiss. du même. Cq. cour. C.: le croiss., surm. de l'étoile.”
WurttembergWurttemberg, c. 1765
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 Germany showing where the Karas arms are recorded
The Karas arms were recorded in Wurttemberg, c. 1765.
Wurttemberg was southern German country of small estates and well-off market towns. Both landowners and leading townsmen kept arms there, so the region carries far more names than its size suggests.
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 Karas 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 Wurttemberg.
Origin & History of the Karas Family in Germany
The surname Karas has deep roots in Central and Eastern Europe, often associated with regions where Slavic and Germanic cultures intersected. By the mid-eighteenth century, historical records confirm that members of the Karas family were established in the region of Württemberg, Germany. During this period, families in Württemberg were often tied to the land through agriculture or specialized local trades, as the region was known for its distinct village structures and meticulous parish record-keeping. The name itself is frequently linked to the word for a type of fish, specifically the crucian carp, which suggests that early ancestors may have lived near water or worked in occupations related to fishing and trade. As these families moved through the German states, they integrated into the local social fabric while maintaining the distinct identity associated with their name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kara
A Turkic term meaning black or dark.
This name
KarasA topographic or descriptive surname referring to someone with dark hair or complexion.
also spelled
Karasse
Karasser
Karas
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann. Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Familiennamen. 1957
Kohlhammer, W. Württembergisches Urkundenbuch. 1907
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
