Map of Poland showing where the Pohl arms are recorded
The Pohl arms were recorded in Prusse, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Mazovia.
Mazovia held Warsaw, the Polish court and the assemblies where the szlachta met. Poland's nobles were unusually numerous and every one of them bore arms, and Warsaw is where those arms were argued over and recorded.
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
Mazovia
Town
Prusse
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Pohl Arms
Ennoblement by the Sejm
Author: Olek Remesz · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Poland in this period.
Stanisław August Poniatowski
Sovereign of the period
Stanisław August Poniatowski
1764–1795
Reigning in Poland when the Pohl arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Poland
Polish noble families shared a single coat of arms across many different surnames, creating large clans rather than individual designs. These symbols were held collectively by all members of the clan regardless of their specific family name. When a new family joined the nobility, they were adopted into an existing clan and began using that group's established shield.
Granting authority
The Sejm, which was the Polish parliament, held the power to grant noble status and the right to bear arms.
How they got arms
Families typically received their coat of arms through a formal act of ennoblement granted by the Sejm for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Crown Metrica, which served as the central archive for state documents starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Poland.
Origin & History of the Pohl Family in Poland
The surname Pohl has deep roots in the region of Mazovia, where records confirm family members were established by 1772. The name itself is often linked to the historical German word for a person from Poland, serving as a descriptive nickname for individuals who moved across shifting borders or lived in borderland communities. During the eighteenth century, Mazovia was a central hub of Polish life, and families like the Pohls were often integrated into the local agricultural or artisan classes. As the political landscape of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth changed during this era, these families maintained their presence through local parish records and land registries. Their history reflects the movement of people across Central Europe and the way names were used to identify one's origin or social connection to a specific territory.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
churchFaith, and the endowment of a house of God
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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'or à la bande d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'or, et acc. en chef d'un lion de sa. tenant une épée au nat. et en p. d'une chapelle au nat., accostée de deux cyprès, le tout sur une colline de sin. D.: AUDACES FORTUNA JUVAT.”
Austriac. 1872
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Austria showing where the Pohl arms are recorded
The Pohl arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1872.
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
1872
Granting Authority for the Pohl Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Sovereign of the period
Franz Joseph I of Austria
1848–1916
Reigning in Poland when the Pohl 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 Pohl Family in Austria
The surname Pohl has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, often serving as a shortened form of the name Paul or as a descriptive term for someone living near a pole or a boundary marker. In the mountainous landscape of Tyrol, the family established a presence by the late 19th century, becoming part of the distinct social fabric of the Austrian Alps. During this era, families in the region were frequently tied to the land through agriculture, forestry, or the skilled trades that supported local mountain villages. The presence of the Pohl name in 1872 suggests that these early ancestors were likely integrated into the administrative and parish systems that governed life in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As the family navigated the challenges of life in high-altitude terrain, they contributed to the steady development of Tyrolean communities through their work and local civic participation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Paulus
Latin for small or humble.
This name
PohlA habitational name for someone from Poland or a derivative of the name Paul.
also spelled
Pole
Related arms
Polevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bieńkowski, Wiesław, Słownik historyczny miast i wsi województwa mazowieckiego, 1990
Central Archives of Historical Records in Warsaw (Archiwum Główne Akt Dawnych), Księgi metrykalne parafii rzymskokatolickich z terenu Mazowsza, 1772
Kowalska, Maria, Nazwiska mieszkańców Mazowsza w XVIII wieku, 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bullValour and generosity
bullValour and generosity
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
churchFaith, and the endowment of a house of God
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
