A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kolb family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5954 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à un homme d'armes, arm. de toutes pièces d'arg., tenant de sa main dextre une hallebarde du même, et posé sur un tertre d'or, les jambes écartées. Cq. cour. C.: l'homme, iss. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
WurttembergWurttemberg, c. 1575
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Map of Germany showing where the Kolb arms are recorded
The Kolb arms were recorded in Wurttemberg, c. 1575.
Wurttemberg was southern German country of small estates and well-off market towns. Both landowners and leading townsmen kept arms there, so the region carries far more names than its size suggests.
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.
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
1564–1576
Reigning in Germany when the Kolb 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 Wurttemberg.
Origin & History of the Kolb Family in Germany
The surname Kolb is a classic German occupational name that traces its roots back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Middle High German word *kolbe*, which referred to a club, a mace, or a specific type of rounded tool used by blacksmiths and woodworkers. By the time the family was firmly established in the region of Württemberg in 1575, the name had become a common way to identify individuals based on their trade or physical stature. During this period, the people of Württemberg lived in a society transitioning from feudal structures to more organized local administrations. Families like the Kolbs were often part of the hardworking artisan or farming classes that formed the backbone of the local economy. As record-keeping became more standardized in German parishes during the late 16th century, the name was consistently documented in church registers, reflecting the family's deep integration into the social and religious fabric of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 gu. à la fasce d'arg., acc. de trois bes. du même. C.: deux cornes de buffle de gu.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Kolb arms are recorded
The Kolb arms were recorded in Bâle, 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 Kolb Family in Switzerland
The surname Kolb has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, often appearing in records as a descriptive name for someone with a stout or rounded build. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Basel, Switzerland. During this era, Basel was a thriving center for trade and craftsmanship, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow their influence. Records from 1745 confirm that members of the Kolb family were active participants in the social and economic life of the city. These early ancestors were likely integrated into the local guild systems, which were essential for maintaining professional standards and community standing in Swiss urban centers at the time. Their presence in Basel suggests a history of migration and adaptation, as families often moved across borders to find better opportunities in the prosperous cities of the Swiss Confederation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kolbe
A Middle High German term for a club or mace.
This name
KolbAn occupational name for a maker of clubs or a nickname for a stout person.
also spelled
Colb
Related arms
Bubenlebersimilar arms
Wildtsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familien-Namen, geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Hauptstaatsarchiv Stuttgart, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Landeskirche in Württemberg
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
knightChivalry and service in arms
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
knightChivalry and service in arms
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
