A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Krell family of Germany.
Reg. 8365 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ravenConstancy and divine providence
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 deux corneilles de sa., posées chacune en pal près de l'un des flancs, les têtes dirigées vers le chef et les pieds vers les flancs de l'écu. C.: une corneille ess. de sa., le vol levé.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Krell arms are recorded
The Krell arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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 Krell 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 Krell Family in Germany
The surname Krell has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly within the bustling urban centers of the Holy Roman Empire. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the city of Nuremberg, which served as a major hub for trade, craftsmanship, and intellectual life. During this era, Nuremberg was a center for skilled metalworkers and merchants, and families like the Krells often played active roles in the local economy. The name itself is thought to be derived from Middle High German terms related to specific occupations or descriptive nicknames, reflecting the practical nature of naming conventions in medieval and early modern Germany. As residents of Nuremberg in 1765, your ancestors lived in a city defined by its strict guild systems and its reputation for producing high-quality goods that were exported throughout the continent. This environment suggests that the early Krell family members were likely integrated into the professional life of the city, contributing to the vibrant culture that defined Nuremberg during the Enlightenment.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Krelle
A Middle High German term for a small bell or rattle.
This name
KrellAn occupational name for a bell-maker or a nickname for a noisy person.
also spelled
Kreller
Krellen
Related arms
Crellvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dudenredaktion, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20.000 Nachnamen, 2005
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Reichsstadt Nürnberg, 1765
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
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