A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Resch family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4667 · German, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un homme iss., posé de trois quarts, hab. d'azur, mouv. d'un tertre de sin., tenant de sa main dextre étendue un serpent ondoyant en pal de sin. Cq. cour. C.: l'homme iss., entre deux prob. coupées, à dextre d'azur sur or, à sen. d'azur sur arg. L. conformes aux émaux des prob.”
GermanyCham Bav, c. 1631
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Map of Germany showing where the Resch arms are recorded
The Resch arms were recorded in Cham Bav, c. 1631.
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 II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
1619–1637
Reigning in Germany when the Resch 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 Resch Family in Germany
The surname Resch is a topographic and occupational name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe. It is derived from the Middle High German word *resch*, which translates to quick, agile, or sharp. This name was often given to individuals who were known for their brisk movements or their energetic work ethic. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the town of Cham, located in the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria. Records from 1631 confirm that members of the Resch family were active residents in this area during the height of the Thirty Years' War. At that time, Cham served as a vital trade hub, and families like the Reschs were often integrated into the local craft guilds or agricultural networks that kept the town functioning despite the surrounding regional instability. The survival of these records provides a clear window into the family’s long-standing roots in Bavarian society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
horseReadiness to serve king and country
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)
“De gu. à un cheval ramp. d'arg., bridé de sa. C.: le cheval, iss. - Ou: Parti: au 1 de gu. à un cheval ramp. d'arg., bridé de sa.; au 2 de sa. à deux épées d'arg., garnies d'or, passées en saut., les pointes en bas, acc. en chef d'une étoile d'or. C.: le cheval, iss., senestré d'un homme iss., hab. de sa., coiffé d'un bonnet albanais du même, retr. d'or, les bras croisés sur la poitrine, et tenant de chaque main une épée en pal. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et de sa.”
TyrolTyrol, c. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Resch arms are recorded
The Resch arms were recorded in Tyrol, c. 1772.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Resch Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Resch arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Tyrol.
Origin & History of the Resch Family in Austria
The family name Resch has deep roots in the mountainous landscape of Tyrol, where it emerged as a descriptive surname during the late medieval and early modern periods. In the German language, the name is historically linked to the word "resch," which in various regional dialects meant sharp, brisk, or quick-witted. This suggests that the name was likely a nickname given to an ancestor who was known for their energetic personality or perhaps their keen intellect. By the time records confirm the family’s presence in Tyrol in 1772, the name had already become a well-established fixture of the local community. Families bearing this name often worked as farmers, craftsmen, or tradespeople, contributing to the rugged economy of the Alpine valleys. Over generations, the Resch family became an integral part of the social fabric of the region, reflecting the resilience and practical nature of the people living in the Austrian mountains.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rasch
Middle High German term for quick, swift, or agile.
This name
ReschAn occupational or descriptive name for a person who was quick, energetic, or hasty.
also spelled
Resh
Related arms
Behambrecorded with Resch, same area
Gehringrecorded with Resch, same area
Heigelrecorded with Resch, same area
Hörtingerrecorded with Resch, same area
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 Cham, Bürgerbuch der Stadt Cham, 1631
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
knightChivalry and service in arms
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
knightChivalry and service in arms
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
horseReadiness to serve king and country
