Map of Germany showing where the Ohland arms are recorded
The Ohland arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1845.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often in the registers.
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.
Frederick William IV of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William IV of Prussia
1840–1861
Reigning in Germany when the Ohland arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Saxony.
Origin & History of the Ohland Family in Germany
The surname Ohland originates from the historical region of Saxony, where family members were documented as early as 1845. The name is likely topographical in nature, derived from the Middle High German word "Ohl" or "Aue," which refers to a meadow or land situated near a river. Families with this name were often associated with agricultural life, as they lived and worked on the fertile floodplains that characterize the Saxon landscape. During the mid-19th century, Saxony was undergoing significant industrial and social changes, and the Ohland family would have been part of a society transitioning from traditional farming communities to a more modern, urbanized workforce. By remaining in this region during the 1840s, the family was situated in a central hub of German culture, trade, and political development, which helped shape their early history before many families began to migrate outward in search of new opportunities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Oland
Derived from the Germanic word for land or island.
This name
OhlandA topographic name referring to someone who lived on or near an island or a specific piece of land.
also spelled
Poland
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, Bestand 10001 (Ältere Behörden des Freistaates Sachsen), 1845
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
