A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kotek family of Austria.
Reg. 5141 · Austrian, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à l'aigle ép. de sa., cour. d'or; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à un ours ramp. d'or, celui du 3 cont. Sur le tout coupé: a. parti d'arg. et de gu.; b. de gu. à une demi-roue d'arg., mouv. du coupé. Trois cq. cour. C.: 1º l'aigle du 1: 1. d'or et de sa.; 2º trois pl. d'aut., une de sa. entre deux d'arg.; 1. d'arg. et de gu.; 3º un ours iss. d'or; 1. d'or et d'azur. S.: deux ours d'or (ou au nat.)”
Austriac. 1556
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Map of Austria showing where the Kotek arms are recorded
The Kotek arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1556.
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
1556
Granting Authority for the Kotek Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Charles V
Sovereign of the period
Charles V
1519–1556
Reigning in Austria when the Kotek 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 Kotek Family in Austria
The family name Kotek has deep roots in the Alpine region of Tyrol, where historical records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1556. During the sixteenth century, Tyrol was a vital crossroads for trade and culture within the Holy Roman Empire, and families living in these mountain valleys were often deeply connected to the local agricultural and mining industries. The name itself is thought to derive from Slavic linguistic influences, which were common in parts of Central Europe due to centuries of migration and regional interaction. As the family established itself in the rugged landscape of the Tyrol, they likely functioned as independent farmers or skilled tradespeople who adapted to the challenging climate of the Alps. Over time, the Kotek name became a marker of this specific regional identity, representing a lineage that survived the social and political shifts of the early modern period in one of Europe’s most distinctive mountain territories.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kote
A Middle High German term referring to a small hut or cottage.
This name
KotekA topographic name for someone who lived in a small cottage or a farm laborer.
also spelled
Choteck
Kotek
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Tiroler Steuerkataster 1556
Huter, Franz, Tiroler Urkundenbuch, 1937
Obermair, Hannes, Bozen Süd – Bolzano Nord: Schriftlichkeit und Urkunden der Stadt Bozen bis zum Jahr 1500, 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
