Map of Germany showing where the Kizer arms are recorded
The Kizer 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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Kizer 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 Kizer Family in Germany
The family name Kizer is a variation of the German word Kaiser, which translates to emperor. During the Middle Ages, this name was often used as a nickname for someone who acted in a regal manner or perhaps played the role of a king in a local village pageant. By the time members of the family were documented in Nuremberg in 1765, the name had become a stable surname passed down through generations of tradespeople and craftsmen. Nuremberg was a major center for metalworking and international trade during the eighteenth century, providing a bustling environment for families to establish their livelihoods. As the family lived in this influential city, they likely participated in the guild system that defined German social and economic life at the time. This transition from a descriptive nickname to a permanent family name reflects the broader movement of German society toward formal record-keeping and established hereditary identities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à une couronne impériale d'or, acc. de trois écussons d'arg.”
AustriaLinz Aut, c. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Kizer arms are recorded
The Kizer arms were recorded in Linz Aut, c. 1772.
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
Linz
Town
Linz Aut
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Kizer Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Kizer 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 Kizer Family in Austria
The family name Kizer, often appearing as Kaiser in historical records, carries deep roots within the cultural landscape of Upper Austria. By the year 1772, members of the family were firmly established in the city of Linz, which served as a vital hub for trade and administration along the Danube River. During this period, the name was likely associated with individuals who held specific roles within the local community or served the regional government. Life in eighteenth-century Linz required families to adapt to the shifting political climate of the Habsburg Monarchy, where surnames often reflected a person’s occupation or their status as subjects of the crown. As residents of a major urban center, the Kizer family would have participated in the daily commerce and social life of a city that acted as a gateway between the mountainous regions of the Alps and the plains of Eastern Europe. Their presence in the city records from this time highlights a long-standing history of stability and integration into the fabric of Austrian society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'azur à la barre d'or, ch. d'un oiseau cont. de sa. et cotoyé en p. d'un trèfle du sec., la tige en bas. C.: un demi-vol aux armes de l'écu, moins le trèfle. L. à dextre d'or et d'azur, à sen. d'azur et de sa.”
SwitzerlandSoleure, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Kizer arms are recorded
The Kizer arms were recorded in Soleure, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Kizer Family in Switzerland
The family name Kizer, often appearing in historical records as Kaiser or Keyser, traces its roots in Switzerland to the German-speaking regions where it functioned as a descriptive occupational or status-based surname. By 1745, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the canton of Soleure, a region known for its strategic position along the Aare River and its strong ties to both trade and military service. During this era, families in Soleure were often deeply integrated into the local guild systems or agricultural communities that defined Swiss social structure. The name itself likely originated as a nickname or a title for someone who played the role of an emperor in local festivals or perhaps someone who served a high-ranking official. As the family put down roots in Soleure, they participated in the daily life of a canton that balanced its traditional rural heritage with the growing influence of urban administration. These early ancestors were part of a stable society where family lineages were carefully tracked through church registers and local government census records.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caesar
Latin title for a Roman emperor or ruler.
This name
KizerAn occupational surname for someone who served a ruler or acted in an imperial manner.
also spelled
Kayser
Kaizer
Kizer
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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
