A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mega family of Austria.
Reg. 8069 · Austrian, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à un maillet au nat., passé dans une couronne d'or (Mainburg); aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à la croix de gu. (comté de Kreuzen). A une aigle ép. de sa., chaque tête cour. d'or, br. sur les écartelures et ch. sur sa poitrine d'un écusson aux armes de Meggau qui sont de gu. à trois pelles démanchées d'or. Deux cq. d'or, entre lesquels est placée une aigle ép. de sa., bq., m. et cour. d'or. C.: 1° un vol aux armes du surtout; 1. d'or et de gu.; 2° un demi-vol aux armes du 2; 1. d'arg et de gu.”
Austriac. 1572
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Map of Austria showing where the Mega arms are recorded
The Mega arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1572.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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
Tyrol
First recorded
1572
Granting Authority for the Mega Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
1564–1576
Reigning in Austria when the Mega arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Mega Family in Austria
The family name Mega has deep roots in the mountainous region of Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1572. During this period, Tyrol served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between the Italian peninsula and the German-speaking lands. Families living in this alpine environment often derived their surnames from local geographical features, occupations, or specific nicknames that described their role within the village community. Given the linguistic diversity of the region, the name likely emerged from the blend of Latin and Germanic influences common to the area. Early generations of the Mega family were likely involved in the agricultural or mining industries that sustained the Tyrolean economy during the late Renaissance. By maintaining a presence in this region for centuries, the family became part of the enduring social fabric that defined the unique identity of the Eastern Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Megas
Greek term meaning great, large, or mighty.
This name
MegaAn occupational or descriptive surname denoting a person of significant stature or high status.
also spelled
Megow
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
