Map of Germany showing where the Runtz arms are recorded
The Runtz arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1765.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often 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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Runtz 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 Saxony.
Origin & History of the Runtz Family in Germany
The surname Runtz traces its roots to the historical landscape of Germany, where it emerged as a localized identifier during a period of significant social transition. By the year 1765, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the region of Saxony. During the eighteenth century, Saxony was a hub of agricultural and industrial development, and families like the Runtz clan were often tied to the land or specific trades within these growing communities. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or descriptive nicknames common in Central Germany at the time. As these families lived and worked in Saxon villages, they contributed to the local culture and the gradual formation of the German middle class. Their presence in the historical record during this era highlights the stability of family lineages that helped shape the social fabric of the German states long before the unification of the country.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
horseReadiness to serve king and country
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé d'arg. sur sa.; à deux chevaux courants, de l'un à l'autre, 1 en chef et 1 en p. C.: un cheval iss. de sa., entre deux prob. coupées alt. d'arg et de sa.”
Austriac. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Runtz arms are recorded
The Runtz arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
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 Runtz 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 Runtz 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 Austria.
Origin & History of the Runtz Family in Austria
The family name Runtz has deep roots in the mountainous landscape of the Austrian Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1772. During this period, the region was characterized by small, isolated alpine communities that relied heavily on agriculture and local trade. Families like the Runtz often lived in tight-knit villages where their identity was closely tied to the specific valley or parish they inhabited. Because the Tyrol served as a vital crossroads between the German-speaking north and the Italian-speaking south, the name likely evolved within a culture that valued craftsmanship and mountain survival. Living in these high-altitude environments required a strong sense of community, and the Runtz family would have been part of the traditional social structures that defined rural Austrian life in the late eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rund
A Middle High German term meaning round or circular.
This name
RuntzA descriptive nickname for a person who was stout or rotund in physical appearance.
also spelled
Renz
Rents
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, Bestand 10001 (Ältere Akten), 1765
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
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.
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
horseReadiness to serve king and country
