A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Schmauss family of Germany.
Reg. 8340 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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'or à un homme iss., hab. de sa., supp. de sa main dextre une étoile d'or; au 2 de sa. à trois étoiles d'or. C.: l'homme iss., hab. d'un parti de sa. et d'azur.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Schmauss arms are recorded
The Schmauss 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 Schmauss 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 Schmauss Family in Germany
The surname Schmauss originates from the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, with deep roots tied to the cultural landscape of Bavaria. Historically, the name is classified as a nickname-based surname, likely derived from the Middle High German word "smus," which was often used to describe someone who enjoyed good food or lived a life of indulgence. By the mid-18th century, families bearing this name were well-established in the Bavarian countryside, where they participated in the agrarian and trade-based economy typical of the Holy Roman Empire. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the Schmauss family were integrated into local village life during this period, often serving as skilled craftsmen or farmers who contributed to the stability of their regional communities. As the family grew, they maintained a presence in these southern German lands, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and social development that defined the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schmaus
A Middle High German term for a feast or banquet.
This name
SchmaussA nickname for a person who enjoyed eating, a glutton, or a jovial host.
also spelled
Schmaus
Schmausse
Shmows
Related arms
Dowagasimilar arms
Kandelsbergersimilar arms
Mayr auf Starzhausensimilar arms
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
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kurbayern Hofkammer: Steuer- und Katasterwesen, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
knightChivalry and service in arms
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
knightChivalry and service in arms
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
