A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Stetzel family of Germany.
Reg. 5682 · German, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
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 un chevalier, arm. de toutes pièces, le casque panaché de gu., tenant une lance d'or et monté sur un cheval galopant d'arg., caparaçonné de gu. Cq. cour. C.: le chevalier avec son cheval, iss., posé de front, entre un vol d'arg. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et de sa.”
GermanyGörlitz, c. 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Stetzel arms are recorded
The Stetzel arms were recorded in Görlitz, c. 1725.
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.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Germany when the Stetzel 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 Stetzel Family in Germany
The family name Stetzel originates from the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, where it functioned as a descriptive surname. It is believed to be a diminutive form derived from the Middle High German word "stet," which relates to a place or a town. This suggests that early ancestors may have been identified by their residence or their role as town dwellers. By 1725, records confirm that members of the Stetzel family were well-established in the city of Görlitz. Located on the border of present-day Germany and Poland, Görlitz was a significant center for trade and craftsmanship during the eighteenth century. Families living there often participated in the local guild systems, which helped them build stable lives and maintain a lasting presence in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Stotz
A short form of the Germanic name Jost or Justus meaning just.
This name
StetzelA diminutive form indicating a person who is a descendant of someone named Stotz.
also spelled
Stetzel
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
Stadtarchiv Görlitz, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Görlitz, 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
knightChivalry and service in arms
knightChivalry and service in arms
