A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Klug family of Germany.
Reg. 1314 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 un cerf ramp. au nat., soutenu d'un tertre de sin. Cq. cour. C.: un vol à l'antique d'or, ch. d'une bande d'azur, surch. d'une flèche d'or. L. d'or et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 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 Klug arms are recorded
The Klug arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Klug 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 Klug Family in Germany
The surname Klug originates from the Middle High German word *kluc*, which translates to clever, wise, or prudent. During the Middle Ages, this name was often used as a descriptive nickname for someone who displayed sharp intelligence or good judgment in their local community. By the time your ancestors were established in Bavaria in 1765, the name had become a permanent family identifier passed down through generations. Families with this name were typically integrated into the agricultural or artisan classes of the region, where a reputation for being sensible and capable was highly valued. As the population grew, the Klug name spread across various German-speaking lands, reflecting a long history of families who were recognized for their practical skills and sharp minds.
Klug Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
kluc
Middle High German term for clever, prudent, or wise.
This name
KlugA descriptive nickname for an intelligent, shrewd, or sensible individual.
also spelled
Klug
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
