A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Scown family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5681 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une fleur-de-lis d'or, passée dans une couronne du même, et ornée à dextre d'un trèfle de sin. C.: un homme iss., hab. d'azur, rebr. d'or, coiffé d'un bonnet pointu d'azur, retr. d'or, tenant la fleur-de-lis (sans couronne).”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Scown arms are recorded
The Scown arms were recorded in Nuremberg, c. 1765.
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 Scown 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 Scown Family in Germany
The history of the Scown family in Germany centers on the vibrant urban landscape of Nuremberg during the mid-eighteenth century. By 1765, records confirm that members of the family were established residents within this influential center of trade and craftsmanship. During this period, Nuremberg was a hub for skilled artisans and merchants who benefited from the city's long-standing reputation for metalworking and precision engineering. Families living in the city at this time were often integrated into the guild system, which organized labor and social life for the growing middle class. The presence of the Scown name in such a prominent location suggests that these early ancestors were likely involved in the professional networks that defined the city’s economic success. As the family navigated the social structures of the Holy Roman Empire, they contributed to the unique cultural identity of a region known for its dedication to both tradition and innovation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à une femme iss., hab. de gu., chevelée et cour. d'or, les mains appuyées sur les hanches, mouv. d'nn tertre d'or. C.: la femme iss., tenant une rose de gu., tigée et feuillée de sin. L. de gu. et de sa.”
Austriac. 1772
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Austria showing where the Scown arms are recorded
The Scown arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Scown Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Scown arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Scown Family in Austria
The family name Scown has deep roots in the rugged landscape of the Austrian Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1772. During this period, the Tyrol region served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between the Germanic north and the Italian south. Families living in these high-altitude alpine valleys often relied on a mix of subsistence farming and local craftsmanship to survive the harsh winters. Because the name appears in this specific mountainous territory during the late eighteenth century, it is likely that the early Scowns were part of the resilient rural population that maintained the distinct traditions of the Tyrolean highlands. Their presence in the region suggests they were integrated into the local social fabric, which was defined by strong community ties and a close connection to the land. By documenting their lives in local parish registers and regional administrative logs, these early ancestors helped preserve the history of a family that navigated the unique political and geographic challenges of the Austrian Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schön
German adjective meaning beautiful, fair, or pleasant.
This name
ScownA topographic or descriptive name for someone who lived in a beautiful place or was considered handsome.
also spelled
Schoen
Shon
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Reichsstadt Nürnberg, 1765
Endres, Rudolf, Nürnberg im 18. Jahrhundert, 1970
Schultheiß, Werner, Die Reichsstadt Nürnberg und ihr Gebiet, 1956
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
