Map of Germany showing where the Schmalz arms are recorded
The Schmalz 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 Schmalz 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 Schmalz Family in Germany
The surname Schmalz originated in the German-speaking regions as a descriptive nickname, likely referring to a person’s occupation or physical traits. In Middle High German, the word *schmalz* referred to rendered animal fat or lard. It is probable that the name was first given to a merchant who traded in these goods or perhaps a cook who worked with them regularly. By the time the family was documented in Saxony in 1765, the name had become a stable hereditary surname passed down through generations. During this period, Saxony was a center of trade and agriculture, providing a stable environment for families to establish roots in local villages. As the family grew, they integrated into the social and economic fabric of the region, participating in the local traditions and labor systems that defined eighteenth-century German life.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur à un poisson nageant d'arg., surm. d'une étoile du même; au 2 palé d'arg. et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBerne, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Schmalz arms are recorded
The Schmalz arms were recorded in Berne, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Schmalz Family in Switzerland
The surname Schmalz originates from the Middle High German word for lard or rendered fat, suggesting that the family’s earliest ancestors likely worked as traders, butchers, or farmers involved in dairy production. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family established a firm presence in the Swiss canton of Berne. Records confirm that members of the Schmalz family were active residents of this region by 1745, where they participated in the local social and economic life of the Swiss Confederation. During this era, families in Berne were often deeply integrated into the guild systems or agricultural communities that defined the landscape. As the name spread through the Swiss cantons, it became associated with the industrious nature of families who managed the essential resources of their mountain villages. The history of the name reflects a transition from a simple occupational descriptor to a recognized lineage within the structured society of eighteenth-century Switzerland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
smalz
Middle High German term for rendered animal fat or lard.
This name
SchmalzAn occupational name for a dealer in lard or a person who produced rendered fat.
also spelled
Schmalts
Shmalts
Related arms
Schmaltzvariant spelling
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 Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, Kirchenbücher der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Landeskirche Sachsens
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
columnFortitude and constancy
columnFortitude and constancy
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
