A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Samra family of Austria.
Reg. 1404 · Austrian, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à une colombe d'arg., posée sur un tertre de sin. et tenant en son bec un rameau d'olivier du même; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à un griffon de gu. Cq. cour. C.: le griffon, iss., entre un vol, l'aile dextre de gu. ch. d'une fasce d'arg., l'aile sen. de sa. ch. d'une fasce d'or. L. conformes aux émaux du vol.”
Austriac. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Samra arms are recorded
The Samra 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 Samra 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 Samra 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 Samra Family in Austria
The family name Samra carries a rich history that traces back to the mountainous region of Tyrol in the late eighteenth century. By 1772, records confirm that members of the family were established within this area, which served as a vital crossroads between the Germanic and Italian cultures of the Alps. The name itself is often associated with ancient linguistic roots found in the Near East and the Mediterranean, suggesting that the family may have descended from groups that migrated along historic trade routes. Over many generations, the Samra family integrated into the local Tyrolean society, likely working in trades related to the rugged landscape such as forestry, mining, or mountain agriculture. Their presence in this specific region during the 1770s highlights a period of stability where families began to solidify their surnames within local parish registers and government census documents.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Samar
Arabic root meaning to talk or converse during the night.
This name
SamraAn occupational or descriptive name referring to a night-time storyteller or companion.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Tiroler Steuerkataster 1772
Huter, Franz, Tiroler Urkundenbuch, 1937
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
