Map of Germany showing where the Schorr arms are recorded
The Schorr arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
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 Schorr 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Schorr Family in Germany
The family name Schorr has deep roots in the southern German region of Bavaria, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1765. The name is generally categorized as a topographic or descriptive surname, likely originating from the Middle High German word "schorre," which refers to a steep cliff, a rocky slope, or a rugged piece of land. People living near such distinct geographical features often adopted the name to identify their home or property. In the eighteenth century, Bavaria was a collection of smaller territories and rural communities where families were often tied to specific trades or agricultural lands. As the Schorr family settled in these areas, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the region through farming, craftsmanship, and community life. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their ancestral connection to the Bavarian landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schor
A Middle High German term referring to a steep slope or cliff.
This name
SchorrA topographic name for someone who lived near a steep incline or precipice.
also spelled
Schor
Related arms
Pejacsevich de Veroeczesimilar arms
Schorervariant 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 Familien-Namen, geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903