A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Poulos family of Germany.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à la fascée entée de sa.; à la bord. du même. C.: une tête et col de bélier d'arg., accornée d'or (Arm. v. G.)”
The Poulos arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought 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.
Reigning in Germany when the Poulos arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Poulos carries a rich history that reflects the movement of people across European borders during the eighteenth century. While the name is often associated with Greek origins, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Westphalia by 1765. During this period, Westphalia was a hub of agricultural and industrial growth, and families often settled in these areas to work in local trade or farming. The presence of the Poulos name in German church and tax registers from this era suggests that the family integrated into the local community while maintaining their distinct identity. Over time, the name likely evolved in spelling and pronunciation as the family moved through different regions, yet it remains a testament to the family's long-standing roots in the heart of Europe.
Derived from the Greek word for small or humble.
