A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sokolovsky family of Germany.
Reg. 0832 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 gu. à un croiss. d'or, acc. de deux épées brisées et opposées d'arg. C.: les meubles de l'écu.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1765
Where the Sokolovsky Arms Were Recorded
Map of Germany showing where the Sokolovsky arms are recorded
The Sokolovsky arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1765.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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 Sokolovsky 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 Silesia.
Origin & History of the Sokolovsky Family in Germany
The surname Sokolovsky is a topographical and occupational name rooted in the Slavic word for falcon, which is sokol. Historically, families bearing this name were often associated with the tradition of falconry, a prestigious activity that involved training birds of prey for hunting. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Sokolovsky family were established in the region of Silesia. During this period, Silesia was a vibrant crossroads of culture and trade, and families living there were often documented in local parish registers or land tax records as they moved through the changing political landscapes of Central Europe. The name likely evolved as a way to identify individuals based on their connection to the land or their specific skills in managing hunting birds, eventually becoming a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sokol
A Slavic term referring to a bird of prey, the falcon.
This name
SokolovskyA topographic or habitational name denoting someone who originated from a place named Sokol.
also spelled
Sokolowsky
Sokolovsky
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
State Archive in Wrocław (Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu), Akta stanu cywilnego i księgi metrykalne, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
swordJustice, and military honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
swordJustice, and military honour
