A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Seiss family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2788 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Parti: au 1 coupé: a. d'or à une tête de serin au nat., posée de front; b. d'azur à un serin d'or, perché sur la branche dextre d'un tronc au nat., mouv. de la p.; au 2 d'arg. à une palme de sin. C.: un serin d'or. L.: à dextre d'or et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Seiss arms are recorded
The Seiss 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 Seiss 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 Seiss Family in Germany
The surname Seiss traces its roots to the southern regions of Germany, particularly within the historic borders of Bavaria. By the mid-eighteenth century, families bearing this name were well-established in the Bavarian landscape, living as part of a society deeply shaped by agriculture and local craftsmanship. The name itself likely evolved from older Germanic dialects, potentially serving as a descriptive term or a shortened form of a given name common in the region. Life for the Seiss family in 1765 would have been defined by the traditions of the Holy Roman Empire, where communities were tightly knit and centered around local parish churches. These early ancestors were likely farmers or tradespeople who contributed to the steady growth of Bavarian village life during a time of significant cultural change in Central Europe. As they navigated the social structures of the era, the family helped establish the long-standing presence of the name in the southern German states.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fireZeal and purification
Colours
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)
“De sa. à une boule d'arg., lançant trois foudres d'en pairle. C.: le meuble de l'écu, entre deux prob. de sa.”
TyrolTyrol, c. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Seiss arms are recorded
The Seiss arms were recorded in Tyrol, c. 1772.
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 Seiss 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 Seiss 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 Tyrol.
Origin & History of the Seiss Family in Austria
The family name Seiss has deep roots in the alpine landscape of Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1772. During this period, Tyrol was a vital part of the Habsburg Monarchy, and families like the Seiss clan were often tied to the rugged terrain and the traditional agricultural life of the mountain valleys. The name likely evolved from local dialects or geographic descriptions common to the region, reflecting the way people identified themselves by their specific village or mountain home. As the family established their presence in these high-altitude communities, they became part of the social fabric of the Austrian Empire. Their history is a reflection of the resilience required to thrive in the demanding environment of the Eastern Alps, where families often remained in the same districts for generations to manage land and trade.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthias
Gift of God derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu.
This name
SeissA patronymic surname originating as a diminutive form of the name Matthias.
also spelled
Seiss
Zis
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv), Kurbayern Hofkammer Buchhaltung
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung, 1982
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1933
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fireZeal and purification
