Map of Germany showing where the Poss arms are recorded
The Poss arms were recorded in Nuremberg, c. 1765.
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 Poss 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 Poss Family in Germany
The family name Poss has deep roots in the historical landscape of central Europe, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of Nuremberg by the year 1765. During this period, Nuremberg was a thriving center for trade, craftsmanship, and intellectual growth within the Holy Roman Empire. Families living in the city at that time were often connected to the guilds or the merchant class, which helped them establish a stable presence in the region. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or nicknames common to the Germanic territories, reflecting the linguistic shifts that occurred as families moved between rural villages and growing urban hubs. By settling in a major city like Nuremberg, the early members of the Poss family became part of a vibrant urban culture that valued record-keeping, trade, and civic participation, which allowed their family history to be preserved in local administrative documents for future generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Post
Derived from the Latin word for a station or military post.
This name
PossAn occupational surname for someone who lived near or worked at a station.
also spelled
Posse
Pos
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg (Nuremberg City Archives), Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg (Citizenship Records of the City of Nuremberg)
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv (Bavarian Main State Archive), Kirchenbücher und Standesregister (Church Books and Civil Registers)
Gottfried von Bülow, Handbuch der deutschen Familiennamen (1894)
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
