A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Malwitz family of Germany.
Reg. 6671 · German, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 d'arg. à trois demi-fleurs-de-lis de gu., défaillantes à sen.; aux 2 et 3 de sa. au lion d'or, cour. du même. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1º deux demi-fleurs-de-lis accostées de gu., sommées chacune d'une pl. d'aut. d'arg.; 2º un lion assis d'or, cour. du même, entre un vol à l'antique d'azur semé de feuilles de tilleul d'or, les tiges en bas.”
GermanyThuringe, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Malwitz arms are recorded
The Malwitz arms were recorded in Thuringe, 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 Malwitz 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 Malwitz Family in Germany
The family name Malwitz finds its historical roots in the region of Thuringia, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1765. The name itself is likely locational in origin, derived from the Slavic influence common in parts of eastern Germany, where place names ending in "-itz" often signified a settlement or a place belonging to a specific group. During the eighteenth century, families in this region were typically rooted in agrarian life or local trade, living in small, tight-knit village communities. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Thuringia, navigating the political and economic shifts of the Holy Roman Empire. By maintaining a presence in this area for generations, the Malwitz family contributed to the local history of the region, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that defined German life during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Malo
A Germanic personal name derived from the element meaning bad or small.
This name
MalwitzA locative surname referring to someone originating from the town of Malwitz in Saxony.
also spelled
Muelwitz
Mülwits
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kohlheim, Rosa and Volker Kohlheim, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung, 2005
Thüringisches Staatsarchiv Rudolstadt, Kirchenbücher der evangelisch-lutherischen Kirchengemeinden, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
