A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sokolowski family of Germany.
Reg. 1109 · 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
What the shield shows
A red background with a gold crescent, and two broken silver swords pointing opposite ways.
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 Sokolowski Arms Were Recorded
Map of Germany showing where the Sokolowski arms are recorded
The Sokolowski 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 Sokolowski 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 Sokolowski Family in Germany
Pronunciationsoh-koh-LOF-skee/sɔkɔˈlɔfski/
The surname Sokolowski is a classic example of a locative name, which means it was originally derived from a specific place. In the Polish language, the root word "sokół" refers to a falcon. Historically, the suffix "-owski" was added to the names of villages or estates to identify the people who lived there or owned the land. Families who took this name likely originated from one of the many places in Poland named Sokołowo or Sokołów. By settling in these areas, the family became associated with the name, eventually passing it down through generations as a permanent identifier.
By 1765, records confirm that members of the Sokolowski family were well-established in the region of Silesia. During the eighteenth century, Silesia was a crossroads of culture and trade, often shifting between the influence of the Prussian and Austrian empires. Families living in this area were frequently involved in agriculture or local administration. As the family grew, they moved across different districts, carrying their name with them. This movement helped the name spread throughout Central Europe, turning a local geographic label into a widespread family identity that has persisted for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
sokol
A Slavic term referring to a falcon or hawk.
This name
SokolowskiA habitational name for someone originating from a place named Sokolow, meaning falconry site.
also spelled
Sokolowsky
Sokolovsky
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Brückner, Aleksander. Słownik etymologiczny języka polskiego. 1927
Krzepela, Józef. Rody ziemiańskie XV i XVI wieku. 1928
Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu (State Archives in Wrocław), Akta stanu cywilnego (Civil Registry Records)
Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
swordJustice, and military honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
swordJustice, and military honour
