A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Krapf family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0406 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Coupé: au 1 de gu. à un homme d'armes iss., arm. au nat., tenant de sa main dextre une flèche en barre, la pointe en bas, et de sa sen. trois roses, une de gu. entre deux d'arg., tigées et feuillées de sin.; au 2 d'azur à trois pals d'or. Cq. cour. C.: les meubles du 1. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Krapf arms are recorded
The Krapf arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Krapf 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 Krapf Family in Germany
The surname Krapf originates from the southern regions of Germany, specifically within the historical landscape of Bavaria. Etymologists suggest that the name evolved as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Middle High German word *krapfe*, which referred to a hook or a curved tool. In the context of medieval society, such names were often assigned to individuals based on their trade, physical appearance, or a specific characteristic associated with their daily work. By the time records confirm the presence of the Krapf family in Bavaria during 1765, the name had already been established for generations as a common identifier in rural and village communities. These early family members were typically integrated into the local agricultural or craft-based economy, living in a region defined by its strong ties to traditional Bavarian customs and local parish administration. Because the name was tied to common language rather than noble status, it reflects the history of everyday people who helped shape the social fabric of southern Germany through centuries of local development.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
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. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° l'aigle du 1 a.; l. d'or et de sa.; 2° une épée d'arg., garnie d'or; entre un vol coupé, à dextre de sa. sur or, à sen. de gu. sur arg.; l. d'arg. et de gu.”
Austriac. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Krapf arms are recorded
The Krapf 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 Krapf 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 Krapf 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 Krapf Family in Austria
The family name Krapf has deep roots in the Alpine regions of Austria, particularly within the rugged terrain of Tyrol. By the year 1772, records confirm that members of the Krapf family were well-established residents in this mountainous territory. The name itself is thought to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely referring to a person who was skilled at baking or perhaps someone with a specific physical trait. In the context of 18th-century Tyrol, families like the Krapfs were often tied to the land through agriculture or specialized local trades. Living in such a secluded and challenging environment, these early ancestors helped shape the local community through their daily labor and social connections. As the family grew, they became a recognized part of the regional history, reflecting the broader patterns of settlement and life in the Austrian Alps during the late 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Krapfen
A type of fried dough pastry or fritter.
This name
KrapfAn occupational name for a baker or someone who sold pastries.
also spelled
Krap
Related arms
Schrammsimilar arms
Krappvariant spelling
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
knightChivalry and service in arms
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
knightChivalry and service in arms
