A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Wurtzel family of Austria.
Reg. 3905 · Austrian, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur à un tronc d'arbre arr. au nat., poussant de chaque côté une feuille et sommé d'un gland d'or; au 2 d'azur vêtu d'or, l'azur ch. d'un gland effeuillé d'or, la queue en bas. Cq. cour. C.: les meubles du 1, entre un vol coupé alt. d'or et d'azur. L. d'or et d'azur.”
Austriac. 1772
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 Austria showing where the Wurtzel arms are recorded
The Wurtzel 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 Wurtzel 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 Wurtzel 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 Wurtzel Family in Austria
The family name Wurtzel originates from the German word for root, which historically served as a descriptive nickname for individuals who worked closely with the earth, such as farmers, herbalists, or those who gathered medicinal plants. By the late eighteenth century, the name was firmly established in the rugged, mountainous region of Tyrol. Records confirm that members of the Wurtzel family were living in this area by 1772, likely navigating the challenging alpine landscape as small-scale landowners or tradespeople. Because Tyrol served as a vital crossroads for trade between northern Europe and Italy, families in this region often adapted their surnames to reflect their connection to the land or their specific local environment. This history suggests that the Wurtzel lineage was deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of the Eastern Alps, where their name served as a testament to their long-standing relationship with the soil and the natural resources of their mountain home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wurzel
A German noun referring to the underground part of a plant.
This name
WurtzelAn occupational surname for a herbalist or someone who gathered medicinal roots.
also spelled
Wurtzele
Wurtzelh
Wurtzel-Zel
Wurtsel
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Tiroler Steuerkataster 1772
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Pfarrbücher der Diözese Brixen
Kranzmayer, Eberhard, Ortsnamenbuch von Österreich, 1956
Udolph, Jürgen, Die Ortsnamen der Alpen, 2001
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
