A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kriel family of Germany.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à un cric de gu., posé en”
The Kriel 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.
Reigning in Germany when the Kriel arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Kriel has deep roots in the southern German region of Bavaria, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1765. The name is believed to have originated as a descriptive term or a nickname, likely derived from the Middle High German word "kril," which was often used to describe someone who was lively, vigorous, or spirited. During the eighteenth century, families in this region were often tied to the land through agriculture or specialized local trades. As the Kriel family established themselves in Bavarian towns and villages, they became part of the social fabric of the Holy Roman Empire. Over time, the name persisted through generations as families maintained their local traditions and community roles before eventually spreading to other parts of Europe and beyond.
A person originating from the town of Kriel in Germany.
