A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Wacha family of Germany.
Reg. 4444 · German, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à une grue au nat., avec sa vigilance du même, posée sur un tertre d'arg. C.: un homme d'armes iss., posé de profil, arm. au nat., ceint de gu. et d'arg., tenant une hallebarde de gu. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
GermanyRothenburg Bav, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Wacha arms are recorded
The Wacha arms were recorded in Rothenburg Bav, 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 Wacha 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 Wacha Family in Germany
The family name Wacha carries a deep history rooted in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Wacha family were established residents of the historic town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. During this era, Rothenburg was a significant center for trade and craftsmanship, and families living there were often deeply integrated into the local guild systems and civic life. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older Germanic terms related to watchfulness or guarding, which suggests that early ancestors may have held roles in local security or town administration. As the family navigated life in this medieval walled city, they participated in the daily rhythms of a society defined by religious tradition and agricultural commerce. Their presence in the 1765 municipal records highlights a stable lineage that contributed to the enduring cultural fabric of the Franconian region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wacho
A Germanic personal name derived from the word for watch or guard.
This name
WachaA patronymic surname originating from a short form of ancient Germanic names starting with the element wacho.
also spelled
Wakhau
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bürgerbuch der Stadt Rothenburg ob der Tauber (1765)
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt (1967)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
