Map of Germany showing where the Reich arms are recorded
The Reich arms were recorded in Franconia, c. 1765.
Franconia was a patchwork of small territories in central Germany, full of minor landowners and prosperous market towns. So many separate households held land there that the region produced a great many coats of 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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Reich 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 Franconia.
Origin & History of the Reich Family in Germany
The surname Reich originates from the Middle High German word *rīche*, which translates to powerful, rich, or noble. In the context of early German history, it often served as a descriptive nickname for individuals who held positions of local authority or possessed significant wealth within their communities. By the time the family was firmly established in the Franconia region of Germany in 1765, the name had transitioned from a simple descriptor into a hereditary identifier. During this period, Franconia was a diverse territory characterized by a mix of ecclesiastical and secular rule, which influenced how families settled and kept records. Families like the Reichs often lived in small agricultural or craft-based villages where they were deeply integrated into the local parish structures. These early ancestors were likely part of the hardworking middle stratum of society, contributing to the regional economy through farming or skilled trades while navigating the complex social hierarchies of the eighteenth-century Holy Roman Empire.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Coupé de gu. sur arg.; à deux roses de l'un à l'autre, bout. d'or. C.: un demi-vol d'arg., ch. d'une rose de gu., bout. d'or.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Reich arms are recorded
The Reich arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Reich Family in Switzerland
The surname Reich is rooted in the Middle High German word *rīche*, which originally described someone who held power, influence, or significant wealth. By the time members of the family were documented in Bern in 1745, the name had become a common identifier for families living in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland. During this period, the Swiss cantons were organized into a complex system of local citizenship, meaning that families like the Reichs were often deeply tied to the specific towns where they held residency rights. In Bern, these early family members likely participated in the local guild system or agricultural life that defined the city’s economy in the mid-eighteenth century. As the name spread across the Swiss plateau, it became a marker of families who were integrated into the social and administrative structures of their local communities, often serving as artisans, merchants, or landowners who helped shape the development of their respective cantons.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ric
Old High German term denoting power, rule, or dominion.
This name
ReichRefers to a person who is powerful, wealthy, or holds a position of authority.
also spelled
Reiche
Reichh
Ryk
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 Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Staatsarchiv Bamberg, Standesamtliche Unterlagen und Kirchenbücher der Region Franken, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
