Map of France showing where the Motsinger arms are recorded
The Motsinger arms were recorded in Strasbourg, c. 1663.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Motsinger arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Motsinger Family in France
The Motsinger family name traces its roots to the Alsace region, a territory with a complex history located along the border of modern-day France and Germany. Historical records confirm that members of the family were living in Strasbourg by 1663. During this period, the city was a crossroads for trade and culture, influenced by both Germanic and French traditions. The name likely evolved from regional dialects, possibly originating as a descriptive term for someone who lived near a specific landmark or practiced a particular trade. As the family grew, they became part of the resilient population that navigated the frequent political shifts and religious changes occurring in the Rhine valley. By the eighteenth century, many families from this region began to migrate toward the American colonies, seeking new opportunities and land, which eventually helped spread the name across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Motz
A Germanic diminutive or nickname derived from the name Matthias.
This name
MotsingerA locative or occupational surname likely denoting a descendant of someone named Motz.
also spelled
Mossinger
Mosyngere
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de la Ville et de l'Eurométropole de Strasbourg, Registres paroissiaux de Strasbourg (1663)
Grubb, Farley, German Immigration to Pennsylvania: Archival Perspectives, 1990
Rapp, Francis, Histoire de Strasbourg des origines à nos jours, 1987
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
