A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ruoff family of Austria.
Reg. 8682 · Austrian, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé d'or sur azur; à un rencontre de buffle de gu., bouclé d'or, br. sur le coupé. Cq. cour. C.: le rencontre de buffle, entre un vol coupé alt. d'azur et d'or. L. d'or et d'azur.”
MoraviaMoravia, c. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Ruoff arms are recorded
The Ruoff arms were recorded in Moravia, c. 1772.
Moravia was rich farming country held in large estates by a small number of families. Land there passed down whole for centuries, and unbroken tenure of that kind fills a register.
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
Moravia
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Ruoff 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 Austria when the Ruoff 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 Moravia.
Origin & History of the Ruoff Family in Austria
The surname Ruoff is deeply rooted in the Germanic linguistic tradition, likely originating as a short form of the ancient name Rudolf, which combines the words for fame and wolf. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Moravia, which was then part of the Habsburg Monarchy. During this period, families with this name were often integrated into the local agrarian and artisan communities that defined the social landscape of Central Europe. The name suggests a lineage that valued strength and reputation, traits that were commonly associated with the Germanic naming conventions of the time. As the family moved through the shifting borders of the eighteenth century, they remained part of the broader cultural fabric of the Austro-Hungarian territories, contributing to the development of the local towns where they settled.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ruod
Old High German word meaning fame or glory.
This name
RuoffA diminutive form referring to a person known for their famous reputation.
also spelled
Ruof
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
bullValour and generosity
bullValour and generosity
