A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Stetz family of Germany.
Reg. 4533 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. au chev. ployé, acc. en chef de deux étoiles et en p. d'une colombe volante au-dessus d'une terrasse, le tout d'arg. C.: un vol, coupé alt. de gu. et d'arg., chaque partie d'arg. ch. d'une billette percée en carré d'azur. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
GermanyFrancfort s, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Stetz arms are recorded
The Stetz arms were recorded in Francfort s, 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 Stetz 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 Stetz Family in Germany
The family name Stetz finds its roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it likely originated as a shortened form of names beginning with the prefix "Stet-," such as Stetzel or Stetten. By the mid-eighteenth century, the name was firmly established in the Frankfurt am Main area, a major hub for trade and migration during that era. Records confirm that members of the Stetz family were living in Frankfurt by 1765, a time when the city served as a vital center for craftsmen and merchants. During this period, families often moved within the Holy Roman Empire to seek better economic opportunities or to escape the political instability caused by regional conflicts. As these early ancestors settled into their communities, they contributed to the local workforce and helped define the social fabric of the city. The name reflects a history of resilience and adaptation as the family navigated the changing landscapes of eighteenth-century Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Stet
A Middle High German term meaning a place or a location.
This name
StetzA topographic name for someone who lived in a specific town or settlement.
also spelled
Steitzen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Institut für Stadtgeschichte Frankfurt am Main, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Frankfurt am Main
Hessisches Landesarchiv, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Gemeinden in Frankfurt am Main
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heuss, Alfred, Frankfurt am Main im 18. Jahrhundert, 1954
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
