A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kreft family of Germany.
Reg. 1147 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. au saut. d'or; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. au lévrier ramp. de sa. Sur le tout un écusson d'or, cour. du même et ch. d'une écrevisse de gu., posée en pal. Cq. cour. C.: cinq pl. d'aut.: de sa., d'arg., d'azur, d'or et de gu. L.: à dextre d'or et de gu., à sen. d'arg. et de sa.”
WestphaliaWestphalia, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Kreft arms are recorded
The Kreft arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought 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.
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 Kreft 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 Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Kreft Family in Germany
The surname Kreft is deeply rooted in the Westphalia region of Germany, where historical records confirm the family was well-established by 1765. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname, as the Middle Low German word "kreft" or "krefft" was often used to describe someone who possessed great physical strength or vigor. During the eighteenth century, families in this part of Germany were typically tied to the land through agriculture, living in small village communities where they were known by their trade or personal characteristics. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Westphalian countryside, often appearing in local church registers that documented births, marriages, and deaths. Over time, the name became a permanent identifier for these individuals, tracking their movement and growth across the region as they transitioned from rural laborers to established members of their local parishes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kräft
Derived from the Middle High German word for strength or power.
This name
KreftA nickname for a strong, vigorous, or powerful individual.
also spelled
Kreeft
Kreft
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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen, Abteilung Westfalen. Kirchenbücher der evangelischen und katholischen Kirchengemeinden in Westfalen
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
