A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Reisch family of Germany.
Reg. 7018 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 coupé de sa. sur or, à un griffon d'arg., cour. d'or, br. sur le coupé, tenant entre ses pattes une fleur-de-lis d'arg.; au 2 de gu. à deux bandes d'arg.; au 3 de gu. à deux barres d'arg. Sur le tout un écusson circulaire de sa., encadré d'une couronne de laurier de sin. et ch. d'un E d'or, surm. d'une couronne impériale. Cq. cour. C.: cinq pl. d'aut.: de gu., d'arg., de gu., d'or et de sa. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1640
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Map of Germany showing where the Reisch arms are recorded
The Reisch arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1640.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
1637–1657
Reigning in Germany when the Reisch 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Reisch Family in Germany
The surname Reisch is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of southern Germany, particularly within the region of Bavaria. By the year 1640, members of the family were already established in this area, living through a period marked by the immense social and economic challenges of the Thirty Years' War. The name itself is believed to be a variation of the Middle High German word *risch*, which often described someone who was quick, active, or vigorous in their daily life. As these early ancestors navigated the rural Bavarian countryside, they likely worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople, contributing to the local village economies that were slowly rebuilding after decades of conflict. Because the family remained in this specific region for generations, they became part of the long-standing cultural fabric of the Bavarian lands, maintaining their identity through the transition from the early modern period into the industrial age.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Risch
A Middle High German term referring to a rush or reed plant.
This name
ReischA topographic name for someone who lived near a patch of reeds or rushes.
also spelled
Reissch
Reish
Rysh
Rish
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
