A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Quist family of Germany.
Reg. 5971 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à cinq chandeliers d'arg. 2, 1 et 2, portant des chandelles allumées. C.: un demi-vol d'azur, ch. de trois chandeliers pareils à ceux de l'écu, mal-ordonnés.”
BrandenburgBrandenburg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Quist arms are recorded
The Quist arms were recorded in Brandenburg, c. 1765.
Brandenburg was sandy farming country around Berlin, held in large estates by families who served as officers. Land and military service each brought arms, and most families there had both.
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 Quist 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 Brandenburg.
Origin & History of the Quist Family in Germany
The surname Quist is rooted in the linguistic traditions of Northern Europe, specifically within the Germanic and Scandinavian regions. While the name is often associated with Swedish origins, where it translates to a twig or a small branch, its presence in Brandenburg by 1765 highlights the movement of families across borders during the eighteenth century. During this period, Brandenburg was part of the Kingdom of Prussia, a region that experienced significant social and economic shifts. Families with this name were likely part of the agrarian or artisan classes who moved to these territories to take advantage of land settlement programs or trade opportunities. By settling in Brandenburg, these early ancestors became part of a complex cultural landscape that blended local traditions with the influence of neighboring regions. This migration pattern reflects the broader history of European families who sought stability and new beginnings in the Prussian heartland during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
kvist
Old Norse term referring to a twig or a branch.
This name
QuistA topographic name for someone who lived near a branch or a thicket of trees.
also spelled
Quaste
Quastt
Quasst
Kwast
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preußischer Kulturbesitz, I. Hauptabteilung Repositur 9 (General-Direktorium), Kurmark
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