A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Motz family of Germany.
Reg. 6432 · German, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
axeThe execution of military duty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à quatre haches d'armes de sa., emm. d'or, disposées en saut., le bout des manches dirigé vers le coeur de l'écu; le tout acc. en chef d'une fleur-de-lis de gu. Cq. cour. C.: un loup iss. d'or, accosté de deux pennons adossés, d'arg. et d'or, attachés à des lances d'or. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
HesseHesse, c. 1780
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Map of Germany showing where the Motz arms are recorded
The Motz arms were recorded in Hesse, c. 1780.
Hesse was central German country, divided among a large number of small landowners and prosperous towns. So many separate households held ground there that the region produced an unusual number of coats of 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Motz 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 Hesse.
Origin & History of the Motz Family in Germany
The surname Motz originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe as a descriptive nickname. In the Middle Ages, names were often derived from a person’s physical traits or personality, and the name Motz is believed to stem from the Middle High German word "motz," which was used to describe someone who was grumpy, sullen, or perhaps a bit stubborn. By the time members of the family were documented living in the region of Hesse in 1780, the name had long transitioned from a simple nickname into a formal hereditary surname passed down through generations. During the late 18th century, families in Hesse were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trade, and the Motz family likely lived as part of a tightly knit rural community. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Hessian landscape, contributing to the local culture and economy of the region during a time of significant transition in German history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mote
A Middle High German term for a small piece or crumb.
This name
MotzA nickname for a person of small stature or a diminutive individual.
also spelled
Moetz
Mots
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heßisches Staatsarchiv Marburg, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Kirchengemeinden in Hessen, 1780
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen, 1971
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
axeThe execution of military duty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
axeThe execution of military duty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
