Map of Germany showing where the Klier arms are recorded
The Klier arms were recorded in Rothenburg Bav, 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 Klier 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 Klier Family in Germany
The surname Klier is a German occupational name that traces its roots back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Middle High German word *klere*, which was a common term used to describe a clerk or a member of the clergy. In the social structure of the time, this name often identified individuals who possessed the rare and valuable skill of literacy, allowing them to serve as record keepers or administrative assistants for local officials. By the year 1765, records confirm that the Klier family was well-established in the historic town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. During this period, the family likely integrated into the bustling life of the town, which was famous for its trade and medieval architecture. As residents of such a prominent urban center, early Klier family members were part of the growing middle class that helped maintain the town’s legal and commercial operations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kleriker
A member of the clergy or a person in religious orders.
This name
KlierAn occupational surname for a clerk, scholar, or someone employed by the church.
also spelled
Kohler
Coler
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 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bürgerbücher und Einwohnerverzeichnisse
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saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
