A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Stiltz family of Germany.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Tranché d'azur sur arg. C.: un vol à l'antique, aux armes de l'écu.”
The Stiltz arms were recorded in Schwäbisch-Hall, 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.
Reigning in Germany when the Stiltz arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Stiltz finds its historical roots in the region of Swabia, specifically within the town of Schwäbisch Hall. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of this area. The name itself is likely derived from Middle High German terms related to physical stature or specific trade tools, as many surnames from this period were descriptive nicknames that eventually became permanent family identifiers. During the eighteenth century, Schwäbisch Hall was a bustling center for salt production and trade, which suggests that early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant class or the skilled craft guilds that defined the town’s economy. As the family grew, they integrated into the social and administrative life of the region, leaving behind a legacy tied to the industrious spirit of southwestern Germany.
A wooden pole or stilt used for walking or support.
