Map of Austria showing where the Wolowitz arms are recorded
The Wolowitz arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Wolowitz Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Wolowitz arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Wolowitz Family in Austria
The Wolowitz family name has deep roots in the mountainous region of Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1772. The name itself is likely a variation of Slavic naming patterns that moved into the Alpine regions through trade and migration routes. During the late 18th century, Tyrol was a crossroads for diverse cultures under the influence of the Habsburg Monarchy. Families in this area often adopted surnames that reflected their specific village origins or the occupations of their ancestors. As the Wolowitz family established themselves in the region, they likely worked in industries common to the area, such as forestry, alpine agriculture, or local mining. By maintaining a presence in Tyrol during this period, the family became part of the complex social fabric of the Austro-Hungarian borderlands, where they navigated the shifting political and linguistic landscapes of Central Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wol
Derived from the Slavic word for wolf.
This name
WolowitzA patronymic surname meaning son of the wolf, often associated with individuals of Slavic descent.
also spelled
Walowits
Walovitz
Walovits
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Hermann Wopfner, Die Besiedlung der Hochgebirgsalpen, 1928
Karl Finsterwalder, Tiroler Familiennamenkunde, 1977
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
feathersWilling obedience and serenity
