A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Schaff family of Germany.
Reg. 2042 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cherubDivine protection over the innocent
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“D'azur à un ange d'arg., tenant de sa main dextre une épée du même en pal et posé sur un tertre de sin.; en p. l'ange est accosté de deux têtes de chacal du sec., affr. et mouv. chacune de l'un des flancs.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Schaff arms are recorded
The Schaff arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Schaff 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 Schaff Family in Germany
The family name Schaff originates from the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, with deep roots tied to the agricultural and social structures of the eighteenth century. By 1765, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Bavaria, a region known for its distinct cultural traditions and rural communities. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German word "schaf," which historically referred to a shepherd or someone who managed livestock. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family likely held roles as skilled laborers or farmers who were essential to the local economy of the Bavarian countryside. As these individuals moved through the landscape, they carried the name as a reflection of their trade and their connection to the land. Over time, the family became a part of the long history of Bavarian village life, contributing to the development of the region through their daily work and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schaf
A domesticated animal kept for wool and meat.
This name
SchaffAn occupational name for a shepherd or a nickname for a gentle person.
also spelled
Schaf
Shaf
Shaff
Related arms
Welser-Welsersheimbsimilar arms
Schafvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cherubDivine protection over the innocent
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cherubDivine protection over the innocent
