A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lis family of Poland.
Reg. 7630 · Polish, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à un fer de flèche d'arg., en pal, la pointe en haut, le fût croisé de deux traverses du même, la deuxième plus longue que la première. Cq. cour. C.: un renard iss., au nat.”
Polandc. 1772
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Map of Poland showing where the Lis arms are recorded
The Lis arms were recorded in Poland, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Mazovia.
Mazovia held Warsaw, the Polish court and the assemblies where the szlachta met. Poland's nobles were unusually numerous and every one of them bore arms, and Warsaw is where those arms were argued over and recorded.
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
Mazovia
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Lis Arms
Ennoblement by the Sejm
Author: Olek Remesz · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Poland in this period.
Stanisław August Poniatowski
Sovereign of the period
Stanisław August Poniatowski
1764–1795
Reigning in Poland when the Lis arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Poland
Polish noble families shared a single coat of arms across many different surnames, creating large clans rather than individual designs. These symbols were held collectively by all members of the clan regardless of their specific family name. When a new family joined the nobility, they were adopted into an existing clan and began using that group's established shield.
Granting authority
The Sejm, which was the Polish parliament, held the power to grant noble status and the right to bear arms.
How they got arms
Families typically received their coat of arms through a formal act of ennoblement granted by the Sejm for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Crown Metrica, which served as the central archive for state documents starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Poland.
Origin & History of the Lis Family in Poland
The surname Lis is deeply rooted in the history of Poland, with the word itself meaning fox in the Polish language. Families bearing this name were well-established in the Mazovia region by 1772, a time when the area was undergoing significant political shifts during the first partition of Poland. In this historical context, the name often functioned as a descriptive nickname, likely given to ancestors who were known for their cleverness, agility, or perhaps their reddish hair. Because Mazovia served as a central hub for Polish culture and administration, families with this name were often involved in local agriculture or trade. Over many generations, the name transitioned from a simple nickname into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through the centuries. By the late 18th century, the Lis family was already a recognized part of the local social fabric in Mazovian villages and towns.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
lis
A carnivorous mammal of the dog family known for its cunning.
This name
LisA topographic or descriptive surname referring to a person perceived as clever or sly.
also spelled
Lys
Liss
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bystroń, Jan Stanisław, Nazwiska polskie (1936)
Rymut, Kazimierz, Nazwiska Polaków: słownik historyczno-etymologiczny (1999)
Archiwum Główne Akt Dawnych w Warszawie, Księgi metrykalne parafii rzymskokatolickich z terenu Mazowsza (1772)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
