A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Knecht family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3340 · Austrian, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur au lion d'or, tenant de sa patte sen. une couronne de feuillage de gu. et de sa patte dextre une faux d'arg. C.: un homme iss., de profil, hab. de sa., coiffé d'un bonnet pointu du même, retr. d'arg., tenant une pique du même.”
Austriac. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Knecht arms are recorded
The Knecht arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Knecht 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 Austria when the Knecht 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 Knecht Family in Austria
The surname Knecht originates from the Middle High German word for a servant, laborer, or young man, and it often served as a descriptive occupational name for those who worked in service or agriculture. In the mountainous region of Tyrol, the name became established among families who were deeply connected to the land and the local community structure. By the time records place the family in Tyrol in 1772, the name was already well-integrated into the social fabric of the Austrian Alps. During this period, individuals bearing the name were likely involved in the traditional trades of the region, such as farming, forestry, or artisanal crafts. Because Tyrol was a vital crossroads for trade and travel between northern and southern Europe, families like the Knechts often lived in stable, long-standing settlements where they contributed to the local economy and the unique cultural identity of the Austrian highlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à une coupe couverte d'or, sommée d'une couronne à l'antique du même, et ayant une anse à sen. C.: un homme iss., tort. d'un ruban flottant, hab. au nat. et supp. de sa main dextre la coupe couverte de l'écu.”
SwitzerlandBerne, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Knecht arms are recorded
The Knecht arms were recorded in Berne, 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 Knecht Family in Switzerland
The surname Knecht originates from the Middle High German word for a servant, a farmhand, or a young man. In the context of medieval and early modern Switzerland, this name often identified individuals who worked in agricultural roles or served in a professional capacity for a local lord or landowner. By the time members of the Knecht family were recorded in the city of Berne in 1745, the name had transitioned from a simple job description into a formal hereditary surname. Families bearing this name were typically integrated into the local community as skilled laborers or tradespeople. Because Berne was a powerful city-state during the eighteenth century, the presence of the Knecht family there suggests they were part of the established social fabric of the region. They likely participated in the local guild systems or agricultural networks that defined Swiss life at that time. Over many generations, the name became a permanent marker of their ancestry and their historical roots within the Swiss cantons.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kneht
Old High German term for a boy, servant, or young man.
This name
KnechtRefers to a farmhand, servant, or a person in a subordinate position.
also spelled
Cnecht
Knechte
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kranzmayer, Eberhard. Ortsnamenbuch von Österreich. 1956
Tyrol State Archives (Tiroler Landesarchiv), Tiroler Steuerkataster. 1772
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon. 1967
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
