A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Krieg family of Germany.
Reg. 9633 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
knightChivalry and service in arms
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Parti: au 1 de gu. à un chevalier cont., arm. de toutes pièces d'arg., tenant une hallebarde; au 2 de sa. à une licorne ramp. d'arg. au chef de l'écu de gu., br. sur le parti et ch. de deux épées d'arg., garnies d'or, passées en saut. C.: une tête et col de lion d'azur. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'arg. et de sa. D.: RACKEBÜLL, 22 FEBR. MDCCCLXIV.”
Germanyc. 1864
Where the Krieg Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Krieg arms are recorded
The Krieg arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1864.
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.
Wilhelm I
Sovereign of the period
Wilhelm I
1861–1888
Reigning in Germany when the Krieg arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Krieg Family in Germany
The surname Krieg is a classic German occupational name that originated during the Middle Ages. In the German language, the word *Krieg* translates directly to war, and it was originally used as a nickname for a soldier, a mercenary, or perhaps someone with a particularly aggressive or combative personality. By the time the family was firmly established in the Bavarian region during the mid-19th century, the name had been passed down through generations as a permanent identifier. During the 1860s, Bavaria was undergoing significant social and political shifts as it transitioned into the German Empire. Families living in this area at that time were often deeply connected to the local agricultural or trade-based economy that defined the region. The presence of the Krieg family in Bavaria in 1864 places them in a period of intense historical change, where the transition from traditional village life to a more industrialized society began to reshape the lives of everyday citizens.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Krieg
Middle High German term for struggle, combat, or military conflict.
This name
KriegAn occupational or descriptive surname for a soldier, a warrior, or a quarrelsome person.
also spelled
Kriege
Kriegh
Kriegg
Kreeg
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
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Generalakten des Staatsministeriums des Innern, 1864
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
knightChivalry and service in arms
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
knightChivalry and service in arms
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
