Map of Austria showing where the Knorr arms are recorded
The Knorr arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1597.
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
1597
Granting Authority for the Knorr Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Emperor Rudolf II
Sovereign of the period
Emperor Rudolf II
1576–1612
Reigning in Austria when the Knorr 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 Knorr Family in Austria
The family name Knorr has deep roots in the mountainous landscape of Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1597. In the German language, the word knorr refers to a knot in wood or a gnarled protrusion on a tree, which suggests that the name likely began as a nickname for a person with a sturdy or rugged physical build. During the late sixteenth century, the Tyrol region was a vital center for mining and trade, and families like the Knorrs often integrated into the local social structure as craftsmen, farmers, or minor officials. As the family moved through the alpine valleys, they became part of the unique cultural fabric of the Austrian territories. Their presence in historical documents from this era reflects a time when surnames were becoming permanent markers of identity for families living in small, tight-knit mountain communities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à la fasce d'arg. C.: six pl. d'aut., alt. d'azur et d'arg.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1530
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Map of Germany showing where the Knorr arms are recorded
The Knorr arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1530.
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.
Charles V
Sovereign of the period
Charles V
1519–1556
Reigning in Austria when the Knorr 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Knorr Family in Germany
The surname Knorr traces its roots back to the Germanic regions, with significant historical evidence placing the family in Bavaria by the year 1530. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German word "knorre," which describes a knot in a tree or a rugged, protruding rock. In the social context of the sixteenth century, such names were often descriptive nicknames given to individuals who were perceived as sturdy, unyielding, or physically robust. As the family established itself in the Bavarian landscape, they became part of the growing class of townspeople and landholders who shaped the local economy. By the mid-1500s, members of the Knorr family were integrated into the administrative and agricultural life of the region, reflecting the broader transition of German society toward more formalized record-keeping and established family lineages.
Knorr Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
knorre
A knot, lump, or gnarled growth on a tree or wood.
This name
KnorrA nickname for a person with a stout, thickset, or rugged physical appearance.
also spelled
Knor
Related arms
Barthrecorded with Knorr, same area
Beckerrecorded with Knorr, same area
Schafferrecorded with Knorr, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kohl, Wilhelm. Tiroler Familiennamen im 16. Jahrhundert. 1974
Tiroler Landesarchiv. Verzeichnis der Tiroler Steuerlisten. 1597
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
