A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pietz family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7367 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 de gu. au lion d'arg.; au 2 d'or à deux chev. de sa. Cq. cour. C.: une tête et col de chien braque d'arg., coll. et bouclé d'or, entre un vol, l'aile dextre coupée d'arg. sur gu., l'aile sén. aux armes du 2. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sén. d'or et de sa.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Pietz arms are recorded
The Pietz arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit 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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Pietz 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Pietz Family in Germany
The surname Pietz is a shortened variation of the name Peter, which was a very popular choice in Germany during the Middle Ages. Families often adopted this name to honor Saint Peter, a central figure in the Christian faith. By the mid-18th century, the Pietz name was well-established in the region of Bavaria. In 1765, the family was part of a society deeply rooted in agriculture and local craftsmanship. During this time, life in Bavaria was defined by the strict social structures of the Holy Roman Empire. Families like the Pietz clan typically lived in small rural villages where they worked the land or practiced specialized trades. Because record-keeping was often handled by local parish churches, the history of the name is closely tied to the baptismal and marriage registers of these Bavarian communities. These early ancestors were part of a stable population that helped shape the cultural identity of southern Germany through their daily labor and community involvement.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au lion d'arg., lamp. de gu., soutenu d'une terrasse de sin., tenant de sa patte dextre une épée d'arg., garnie d'or, et de sa sén. une croix latine d'or, les bras dextre et sén. et le [?]”
Austriac. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Pietz arms are recorded
The Pietz arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
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
1772
Granting Authority for the Pietz Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Pietz 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 Pietz Family in Austria
The family name Pietz traces its roots to the rugged landscape of the Austrian Tyrol, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1772. During this period, the region was characterized by small, isolated mountain communities where surnames often evolved from local nicknames or shortened versions of traditional given names. The name Pietz likely emerged as a variation of Peter, a common name throughout the Alpine provinces that reflected the strong religious and cultural traditions of the era. Families living in the Tyrol at this time were often deeply connected to the land, working as farmers, craftsmen, or traders who navigated the difficult mountain terrain to sustain their households. As these early ancestors settled into their communities, the name became a permanent marker of their identity within the local parish registers and regional census records. This transition from a spoken nickname to a formal family name helped define the lineage of the Pietz family as they established their place in the history of the Austrian Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Petrus
A Greek word meaning stone or rock.
This name
PietzA German diminutive form of Peter, signifying a small or young stone.
also spelled
Pez
Pets
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
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kirchenbücher der Pfarreien in Bayern, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
