A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Schwarze family of Germany.
Reg. 8611 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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'or au lion naiss. de sa., arm. et lamp. de gu., mouv. du coupé; au 2 bandé de gu. et d'arg. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1o un More iss., tenant de sa main dextre une lance au nat., arm. d'arg., houppée de gu.; entre deux prob. coupées alt. de sa. et d'or; 1. d'or et de sa.; 2o un vol à l'antique aux armes du 2; 1. d'arg. et de gu.”
SaxonySaxony, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Schwarze arms are recorded
The Schwarze 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 Schwarze 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 Schwarze Family in Germany
The surname Schwarze is a descriptive name that originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. It comes from the Middle High German word "swarz," which means black. Originally, this name was likely a nickname given to someone with dark hair, a dark complexion, or perhaps someone who wore dark clothing. By the time your ancestors were documented in Saxony in 1765, the name had become a permanent family identifier passed down through generations. During the eighteenth century, Saxony was a region undergoing significant agricultural and social changes, and families like yours were often part of the hardworking rural or artisan classes that formed the backbone of the local economy. As the name spread across the German-speaking lands, it remained a common way to distinguish individuals within growing village communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
swarz
A Middle High German term referring to the color black.
This name
SchwarzeA descriptive nickname for a person with dark hair, a dark complexion, or dark clothing.
also spelled
Swartze
Schwartz
Swarse
Related arms
Hoffmannsimilar arms
Schwartzvariant 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, Bestand 10001 (Pfarramtsarchiv)
Sächsisches Staatsarchiv, Bestand 10084 (Amt Dresden)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
