A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Krafft family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 4037 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de sa. au lion d'or; au 2 d'arg. à un avant-bras de carn., en pal, paré d'arg. au coude, empoignant une mâchoire d'âne au nat.; au 3 d'or à la bande d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'or. C.: le bras du 2, entre un vol aux armes du 3 (sur l'aile sen., la bande est transformée en barre.) L. d'or et de sa.”
GermanyLindau Bav, c. 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 Krafft arms are recorded
The Krafft arms were recorded in Lindau Bav, c. 1765.
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 Krafft 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 Krafft Family in Germany
The surname Krafft originates from the Middle High German word "kraft," which means strength, power, or force. In medieval Germany, such names were often given as nicknames to individuals who were known for their physical vigor or their commanding presence in the community. By the time the family was documented in the lakeside town of Lindau in 1765, the name had been established for centuries across various German-speaking regions. During this era, families like the Kraffts often settled in prosperous trading hubs along the Bodensee, where they contributed to the local economy as craftsmen, merchants, or civic officials. Because Lindau served as a vital link between Germany and the Alpine trade routes, the family likely benefited from the constant flow of goods and ideas passing through the region. This history reflects a tradition of resilience and steady integration into the social fabric of southern Germany.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
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'or à un homme barbu iss., hab. de gu., portant sur son épaule une colonne d'ordre ionique, au nat. C.: l'homme iss.”
AustriaGratz Styrie, c. 1772
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 Austria showing where the Krafft arms are recorded
The Krafft arms were recorded in Gratz Styrie, c. 1772.
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
Gratz
Town
Gratz Styrie
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Krafft 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 Germany when the Krafft 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 Krafft Family in Austria
The surname Krafft carries a long history in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it originally functioned as a descriptive nickname. Derived from the Middle High German word *kraft*, the name was used to identify individuals who possessed great physical strength or vigor. By the time the family established a documented presence in the city of Graz in 1772, the name had already transitioned from a simple descriptor into a stable hereditary surname. During this era, Graz served as a vital cultural and administrative hub within the Austrian Empire. Families like the Kraffts often integrated into the urban fabric of the city by working in skilled trades or local administration. Their presence in the historical records of the late eighteenth century highlights a period of growth and stability for the family as they contributed to the professional life of Styria.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à une fleur-de-lis de sa. C.: un fer de lance de sa., orné de chaque côté de trois fleurs-de-lis d'arg. et une autre fleur-de-lis d'arg. sur le sommet.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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 Switzerland showing where the Krafft arms are recorded
The Krafft arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Krafft Family in Switzerland
The family name Krafft originates from the Middle High German word *kraft*, which translates to strength or power. In the context of Switzerland, the name was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person who possessed great physical vigor or a forceful personality. By the time the family was firmly established in Bern in 1745, they were part of a society that placed high value on civic participation and trade. During this period, Bern was a powerful city-state, and families like the Kraffts were often integrated into the local guilds or professional circles that kept the city running. As the family settled into Swiss life, the name evolved from a simple descriptor into a formal surname that was passed down through generations. This transition reflects the broader movement of Swiss families toward fixed hereditary names as they became more deeply rooted in the political and social structures of their cantons.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kraft
A Middle High German term denoting physical strength or power.
This name
KrafftRefers to a person who possessed great physical vigor or was exceptionally strong.
also spelled
Kraft
Related arms
Bunckhovenrecorded with Krafft, same area
Dieffenbachrecorded with Krafft, same area
Eggaldtrecorded with Krafft, same area
Fraidrecorded with Krafft, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Stadtarchiv Lindau, Bürgerbuch der Stadt Lindau, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
knightChivalry and service in arms
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
