A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Schimpf family of Germany.
Reg. 7526 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bombOne who has faced a great siege
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. au lion d'arg., supp. de sa patte dextre une grenade de guerre, allumée au nat.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à une chouette au nat. Sur le tout d'or à une couronne de laurier de sin. Cq. cour. C.: un lion iss. d'arg., tenant un sabre du même, entre un vol coupé, à dextre de gu. sur arg., à sen. d'arg. sur azur. L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu. S.: deux griffons d'or. D.: PECTUS FACIT NOBILEM.”
SaxonySaxony, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Schimpf arms are recorded
The Schimpf 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 Schimpf 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 Schimpf Family in Germany
The surname Schimpf originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe as a descriptive nickname. In Middle High German, the word *schimpf* originally referred to a joke, a game, or a playful interaction. Over time, it became a common way to identify someone who was known for being lighthearted, humorous, or perhaps fond of jesting. By 1765, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the region of Saxony. During this period, the family likely lived as part of the rural or growing urban working class, contributing to the local culture and economy of the Saxon lands. As the family grew and moved throughout the region, the name remained a steady marker of their ancestral identity, rooted in the linguistic traditions of their German homeland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
schimpfen
To scold, mock, or jest in a playful or aggressive manner.
This name
SchimpfA nickname for a jester, a mocker, or someone known for their sharp tongue.
also spelled
Schympf
Schimpf
Shimpf
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, Kirchenbücher der evangelisch-lutherischen Landeskirche Sachsens, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bombOne who has faced a great siege
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bombOne who has faced a great siege
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
