A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Skowronek family of Austria.
Reg. 1712 · Austrian, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à quatre croiss. montants et figurés d'arg., rangés en pal; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à trois roses d'arg. Sur le tout de gu. à un faucon d'arg., le vol ouv. et abaissé, la tête retournée. Trois cq. cour. C.: 1° un croiss. du 1; 2° le faucon du surtout; 3° une boule d'arg. S.: deux faucons reg. au nat., le vol ouv. et abaissé.”
Austriac. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Skowronek arms are recorded
The Skowronek 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 Skowronek 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 Austria when the Skowronek 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 Skowronek Family in Austria
The surname Skowronek originates from the Slavic word for the skylark, which is a small songbird known for its high-pitched, melodic flight. Historically, this name functioned as a descriptive nickname, likely given to an ancestor who possessed a cheerful personality or a particularly pleasant singing voice. While the name is deeply rooted in Central and Eastern European linguistic traditions, records confirm that members of the family were established in the Tyrol region by 1772. During this period, the movement of families across the borders of the Holy Roman Empire was often driven by the search for agricultural land or specialized trade opportunities. Settling in the mountainous terrain of Tyrol suggests that these early ancestors were likely resilient individuals who adapted to the unique challenges of alpine life while maintaining their cultural identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
skowronek
A small songbird belonging to the lark family.
This name
SkowronekA topographic or habitational surname referring to a person associated with larks or a lark-like nature.
also spelled
Skowronsky
Skowronskie
Skowronskey
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
Kohlheim, Rosa and Volker Kohlheim. Duden: Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20.000 Nachnamen. 2005
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Tiroler Steuerkataster
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
