A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pfeil family of Germany.
Reg. 7478 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à une corne de bouquetin de sa., le sommet d'arg. C.: un buste de femme, hab. d'un coupé d'arg. sur sa., entre deux cornes de bouquetin coupées d'arg. sur sa.”
FranconiaFranconia, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Pfeil arms are recorded
The Pfeil arms were recorded in Franconia, c. 1765.
Franconia was a patchwork of small territories in central Germany, full of minor landowners and prosperous market towns. So many separate households held land there that the region produced a great many 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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Pfeil 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 Franconia.
Origin & History of the Pfeil Family in Germany
The surname Pfeil is a German occupational name that translates directly to the word arrow. During the Middle Ages, names were often chosen to describe a person’s trade, and this name likely identified a skilled maker of arrows or a particularly swift and accurate archer. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Pfeil family were well-established in the Franconia region of Germany. This area was known for its dense forests and strong traditions in craftsmanship, which provided a natural environment for families involved in archery-related trades. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the local agricultural and village life of the Franconian countryside, where they maintained their identity through generations of community service and local trade.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pfil
An Old High German term referring to a pointed projectile or weapon.
This name
PfeilA topographic or occupational name for an archer or someone who made arrows.
also spelled
Pfile
File
Related arms
Dürnsame arms
Franckenreitersimilar arms
Prockendorfsimilar arms
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
Staatsarchiv Bamberg, Standesbücher und Kirchenbücher der Region Franken, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
