A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Reis family of Germany.
Reg. 6565 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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'or à un arbuste de sin., posé sur un tertre du même; le champ chapé-ployé d'azur à deux bourdons de pélerin d'arg., ornés chacun d'une bouteille du même, le bourdon à dextre posé en barre, celui à sen. en bande. C.: l'arbuste, entre un vol coupé, à dextre d'or sur azur, à sen. d'azur sur arg. L. conformes aux émaux du vol.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Reis arms are recorded
The Reis 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 Reis 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 Reis Family in Germany
The family name Reis has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, often serving as a descriptive surname that evolved over many centuries. In the German language, the word *Reis* can refer to a twig, a branch, or a young shoot, which suggests that the name may have originally been a nickname for a slender person or someone who lived near a specific type of brushwood. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the historic city of Nuremberg. During this period, Nuremberg was a bustling center for trade, craftsmanship, and intellectual life, providing a stable environment for families to grow and document their lives through local church and civic registers. These early records from 1765 reflect a time when the family was firmly integrated into the social and economic fabric of the city, marking a significant chapter in their long-standing history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Reis
Derived from the Middle High German word for a twig or branch.
This name
ReisAn occupational name for a woodcutter or a topographic name for someone living near brushwood.
also spelled
Reiz
Rice
Rees
Related arms
Reysvariant spelling
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
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg. Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg. 1765
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
