Polish heraldry is typical to the Polish nobility/szlachta, which has its origins in Middle Ages knights/warriors clans that provided military support to the king, dukes or overlords.
Exceptions apart, all Polish families belonging to the same noble rod/clan used/use the same coat of arms. The Polish original word herb makes reference to the clan as well to the coat of arms at the same time.
Polish heraldry
Traditionally, Polish noble families/rody refer to people that share common roots or consanguinity; later, it also included further kinship. Some think the Polish clan does not mean consanguinity nor territoriality, as do the Scottish clan, but only membership in the same knight/warrior group (or a brotherhood of knights). For that reason, there are hundreds of different families in the same clan and all of them were/are entitled to use the same coat of arms. However, in regards to consanguinity, the matter is far from settled, and the question matters because of historiographical concern to discover the origins of the privileged status by membership in the knights' clan. In the year 1244, Bolesław, Duke of Masovia, identified members of the knights' clan as members of a genealogia:
"I received my good servitors [Raciborz and Albert] from the land of [Great] Poland, and from the clan [genealogia] called Jelito, with my well-disposed knowledge [i.e., consent and encouragement] and the cry [vocitatio], [that is], the godło, [by the name of] Nagody, and I established them in the said land of mine, Masovia, [on the military tenure described elsewhere in the charter]."
The documentation regarding Raciborz and Albert's tenure is the earliest surviving of the use of the clan name and cry defining the honorable status of Polish knights. The names of knightly genealogiae only came to be associated with heraldic devices later in the Middle Ages and in the early modern period. The Polish clan name and cry ritualized the ius militare, i.e., the power to command an army; and they had been used some time before 1244 to define knightly status. Nevertheless, in daily life, (from the 17th to the 20th century), the sense of belonging to a family predominated. This is indicated by the organization of most of Polish armorial, which are arranged by specific families and not by coat of arms.
It is known that a sense of belonging and attachment to the clan crest lineage existed in the old Polish consciousness and had survived from the Middle Ages, but it was probably more ceremonial and symbolic than "everyday".
Especially since there were fairly frequent instances, particularly among the poorer nobility in the 19th century, of accidentally (and sometimes deliberately) identifying themselves with various coat of arms to the heraldry offices of the partitioning countries. In this way, members of a single family sometimes formally became members of various coats of arms.[2] Also in those times, magnate families and some middle landowners families obtained titles (prince, count, baron) and their own coats of arms, (variations of their original herb), from the partitioning monarchies, the French empire, the pope and other kingdoms.[3]
Polish coat of arms have an own name, usually coming from its old war cry or the drawing.
List
The coats of arms are listed under their most popular name, which is followed by their alternate names in brackets.
A
- Abdank (Awdaniec, Abdanek, Białkotka, Buczacki, Habdank, Łękawa, Skuba, Wiszowaty)
- Abgarowicz
- Achinger (Aichinger, Ajchigier)
- Agryppa
- Aksak
- Alabanda (Alba-luna, Bielina, Koniowaszyja)
- Alemani (Alameni, Allemani)
- Allan
- Amadej (Amadejowa, Hemadejowa, Orłek bez ogona)
- Antoniewicz (Bołoz)
- Awdaniec
- Azewoja
- Azulewicz
- Ancuta
B
- Bajbuza
- Batorsag (Own coat of arms, originating from Hungary)
- Bełty
- Bes
- Beztrwogi
- Białynia (Bialina, Bielina)
- Biberstein (Bibersztein, Bibersztajn, Bibersztyn, Bieberstein, Momot)
- Bielawa
- Bielina
- Bieńkowski (Korwin variation)
- Biliński (Sas variation)Bielecki
- Bogdanowicz
- Bogoria or Bogorya
- Bogusz
- Bojcza (Boycza, Modzele, Piasnicza)
- Bończa (Głoworożec, Jednorożec, Tomaszewski)
- Boreyko
- Bożawola
- Bożezdarz
- Brama
- Brochwicz (Jeleń, Opole)
- Brodzic
- Bronic (Jelec, Łopot)
- Bronisław
- Brzuska
C
D
E
F
- Fąferek
- Felsztyński
- Fiedler
- Fornalski
- Frycz
G
- Garczyński (Sas variation)
- Gąska (Budzisz, Paparona)
- Giejsz
- Geysztor
- Gierałt (Ciecierza, Cietrzew, Osmoróg, Rogów)
- Ginwiłł (Ginwił)
- Glaubicz (Carpio, Glajbicz, Glaubitz, Glubos, Gluboz, Gloubus, Glawbz, Karp)
- Gliński
- Gniazdowski
- Godziemba (Godzięba, Godzięby)
- Goły (Goły, Goły)
- Gondek (Gądek, Gondekowa)
- Gozdawa (Gozdowa, Gzdow, Gozdzie, Smora)
- Górski (Doliwa, Motyl, Rave)
- Grabie (Chlewiotki, Grabia, Graby, Kocina, Leśniowie)
- Grabowiec
- Groty
- Gruszowski
- Gryf (Swoboda, Świeboda)
- Grzebyk
- Gryzima (Gryżyna, Lupus)
- Grzymała
- Gutak
- Gutowski
- Gwiazdy
- Gwiaździcz
H
I
J
- Jabłonowski
- Jakimowicz
- Janina (Pole w polu)
- Januszkiewicz
- Jasieńczyk (Jasieniec, Jasiona, Klucz)
- Jastrzębiec (Bolesta, Boleścic, Dymowski, Kamiona, Ludbrza, Łazęki, Nagóra, Zarasy, Mystkowski)
- Jaślin
- Jaworski (Dubik) coat of arms (Koźlarogi, Koźlerogi, Nagody)
- Jednorożec
- Jelita
- Jezierza (Jeziora)
- Jeż
- Junosza (Baran, Junoszyc)
- Juńczyk (Junczyk, Iunczyk)
K
- Kacmajor
- Kalinowa
- Kamecki (Ślepowron variation Kamecki)
- Caminschi
- Karnas (Karnakoewski, Karnish, Rákóczi)
- Kemlada (Kiemlada, Kimlada, Grabowski)
- Kierdeja (Kierdejowa), (Kiedrowski), (Kiedrowicz)
- Kietlicz (Kiczka, Kyczka, Kitschka)
- Klamry
- Kolakowski
- Komar
- Konderski (Konderski, Konder, Kondek)
- Kopacz (Skrzydło, Topacz)
- Kopaszyna (Czeluść, Kopasina, Poruba, Zawotuł)
- Korab (Korabczyk, Korabczyce, Korabiów)
- Korczak (Wręby)
- Kornic (Błogosław hospody, Kornicz, Kurnicz)
- Korsak
- Korwin (Corvus, Corvinus, Corvin, Kruk, Bujno, Ślepowron odmiana (variation) Korwin)
- Korybut
- Korzbok (Korbog, Korcbok, Kurczbach)
- Kos (Koss)
- Kościesza (Kościerza, Strzegomia, Strzegonia)
- Kot Morski
- Kotwica (Strumberg)
- Kotwicz (Ćwieki, Kotłicz, Kottwitz, Kotwic)
- Kownia (Koprynia, Kowinia, Równia, Skowina)
- Kozanowski
- Kozicki
- Krukowski
- Krutta
- Kruzer
- Krybelli
- Krydener
- Kryg
- Krygel
- Kryger
- Krygshaber
- Krygsztejn
- Krynicki (own COA of the Kobyzewicz-Krynicki noble family; granted in 1589).
- Kryszpin
- Krzywda
- Księżyc
- Kuksz
- Kulakowski
- Kur (Kur Biały)
- Kur II (Kur Czarny)
- Kurowski
- Kusza
- Kuszaba (Bychawa, Kuczaba, Parzyca, Rakwicz)
L
- Lachnicki
- Larysza (Borysowie, Gleżyn, Laryssa)
- Leliwa
- Leszczyc (Bróg, Brożek, Brożyna, Laska, Laski, Wyszowie)
- Leszewski / Liszewski Coat of Arms, Knights, Nobles
- Lewalt
- Lewart (Walny, Wali-uszy)
- (Liczbinskich
- Limanowski (Limanowa, Lwow)
- Lis (Lisowie, Mzura, Strempacz, Orzi-Orzi)
- Lubicz (luba)
- Lubomirski
Ł
- Łabędziogrot
- Łabędzik
- Łabędź (Skrzynno, Skrzyńscy, Kudrick, Kudrewicz, Kudrycki, Kudrzycki)
- Łada (Ładzice, Łady, Mancz)
- Łagoda (Bienia, Połańcze, Wierzynkowa)
- Łodzia (Framberg, Fragenbarg, Frymbark, Smigielski, Szmigielski)
- Łuk
M
N
- Nabram (Kłobuk, Nabra, Stańczowie, Waldorf)
- Nałęcz (Pomłość, Nałęcz – Jezioro)
- Napiwon (Awsłcy, Napiwie, Napiwoń, Napiwowie)
- Nieczaj (herb własny, odmiana Pobóg)
- Nieczuja (Cielech, Cielechy, Ostref, Ostrzew, Pień, Necznia)
- Niesobia (Krzywosąd, Słodziej, Złodzieje)
- Nowina (Złotogoleńczyk, Zawiasa)
- Nurseski coat of arms
- Nycz
O
- Odrowąż
- Odwaga (Mur Konopackich)
- Odyniec
- Ogończyk (Drogosław, Ogony, Powała, Sudkowicz)
- Oksza (Bradacica, Hoksza, Kołda)
- Oława (Oliwa)
- Orda
- Orla (Mściug, Opala, Opola, Saszor also Szaszor, Zapale)
- Osek
- Oskierka (lub Oskierko, herb własny, odmiana Murdelio)
- Ossorya (Ossolińczyk, Poświst, Szarza)
- Ostoja (Mościc)
- Ostroga
- Ostrogski
- Oszyk
- Owada (Ulina)
P
- Paprzyca
- Pelikan
- Piast Eagle (Orzeł Piastowski)
- Pierzchała (Kolumna, Colonna, Roch, Trzaska, Wiszowaty)
- Pilawa (Pilawa, Zet)
- Piłsudski
- Pniejnia (Cwalina, Karwowski)
- Pobóg (Pobodze, Pobożany)
- Pogonia (Borzezdarz, Zdarzbog)
- Pogoń Litewska
- Pogoń Ruska
- Pokorski
- Pomerzanin
- Pomian (Proporczyk)
- Poraj (Róża)
- Poronia
- Półkozic (Połukoza, Ośla Głowa)
- Pół Orła (Orlica, Paczko)
- Poźniak
- Prawdzic (Prawda)
- Prus (MRUK, Słubica, Turzyna, Wagi, Wiskałła, Moszczenica, Ważanki, Wilcze Kosy, Napole, Nagody, Napora)
- Prus II Wilczekosy (Wilcze Kosy, Stubica, Falcastrum Lupinum)
- Prus III
- Przegonia
- Przeginia (Przegonia)
- Przerowa (Grotowie, Proporzec, Przyrowa)
- Przosna (Prozna)
- Przyjaciel
- Przykorwin (Korwin variation Przykorwin)
- Puchała (Sławęcin, Biała)
- Puslowski
R
S
Ś
T
U
W
- Wadwicz
- Waga
- Walkiewicz
- Warnia (Borewa, Rak)
- Wąż (Wężyk, Zachórz, Zatorz)
- Wczele (Łębno, Pczelicz, Szachownica)
- Wejher (Skarzyna, Skarżyna, Pomerzanin, Weicher, Weiher)
- Wieniawa(Żubrza Głowa, Pierścina)
- Wielorad
- Wieruszowa
- Wierzbna
- Wilcza Głowa (Klejna)
- Wnorowski (Kościesza)
- Wukry
- Wysocki
- Wyssogota (Wyssogata, Wyskota, Wyszkota)
Z
Images of some Polish-Lithuanian clan coat of arms
Herb Rzeczpospolitej Obojga Narodow
Herb Abdank (Awdaniec)
Herb Achinger
Herb Aksak
Herb Alabanda
Herb Allan
Herb Amadej
Herb Antoniewicz
Herb Azulewicz
Herb Bajbuza
Herb Bawola-Głowa
Herb Belina
Herb Bełty
Herb Beztrwogi
Herb Biberstein
Herb Boenisch
Herb Bogorya (Bogoria)
Herb Bogoria, odmiana II
Herb Bogusz
Herb Bojcza
Herb Boncza
Herb Borch (Trzy-Kawki, Trzy-Kruki)
Herb Boreyko
Herb Bożawola
Herb Brama
Herb Brochwicz
Herb Bronic
Herb Brzuska
Herb Chalecki
Herb Charyton
Herb Chłędowski
Herb Chodkiewicz
Herb Cholewa
Herb Choryński
Herb Cielątkowa
Herb Cieleski
Herb Ciężosił
Herb Ciołek
Herb Czartoryski (Pogoń Litewska odmiana)
Herb Czewoja
Herb Dąb
Herb Dąbrowa
Herb Dąbrowski (Dołęga odmiana)
Herb Dębno
Herb Dęboróg
Herb Deszpot
Herb Dołęga
Herb Doliwa
Herb Drogosław
Herb Druck
Herb Drużyna
Herb Drya
Herb Drya IV
Herb Drzewica
Herb Działosza
Herb Dzik
Herb Erbs
Herb Essen
Herb Estken
Herb Felseis
Herb Finke
Herb Fleming
Herb Fogelfeder
Herb Fornalski
Herb Fornalski (Orlica odm.)
Herb Giejszt
Herb Giejsztor
Herb Giełgud
Herb Gierałt
Herb Ginwiłł
Herb Glinski
Herb Godziemba
Herb Gozdawa (Dzierżoń, Dervan)
Herb Gozdawa
Herb Grabie
Herb Groty
Herb Gryf (Świeboda)
Herb Gryf II (Pomerania)
Herb Grzymała
Herb Gutak
Herb Gwiazdy
Herb Gwiaździcz
Herb Hejking
Herb Hełm
Herb Herburt
Herb Hilchen
Herb Hilzen
Herb Hipocentaur
Herb Hodyc
Herb Hołownia
Herb Hołownia II
Herb Hornowski
Herb Hozyusz
Herb Husarzewski
Herb Hutor
Herb Jakimowicz
Herb Janina
Herb Jasieńczyk
Herb Jastrzębiec
Herb Jelita (Koźlarogi, Koźlerogi, Nagody)
Herb Jeż
Herb Jodzieszko
Herb Junosza
Herb Kalinowa
Herb Karęga
Herb Karnicki I
Herb Karnicki II
Herb Karp
Herb Kierdeja
Herb Klamry
Herb Komar
Herb Kopacz
Herb Kopaszyna
Herb Korab
Herb Korczak
Herb Korczyk
Herb Kordysz
Herb Korsak
Herb Korwin (Ślepowron odmiana)
Herb Korybut
Herb Kościesza
Herb Kostrowiec I
Herb Kostrowiec II
Herb Kot-Morski
Herb Kotwica
Herb Kotwicz
Herb Kownia
Herb Kozłowski
Herb Krak (Druk, Kač)
Herb Krak II (Druk, Kač)
Herb Kronwald
Herb Kruzer
Herb Krynicki
Herb Kryszpin
Herb Krzywda
Herb Księżyc
Herb Kujk
Herb Kulikowski
Herb Kułak
Herb Kur
Herb Kur II
Herb Kusza
Herb Kuszaba
Herb Łabędź (Dunin)
Herb Lachnicki
Herb Larysza
Herb Leliwa
Herb Leszczyc
Herb Lis
Herb Łodzia
Herb Lubicz
Herb Łuk
Herb Mądrostki
Herb Masalski ks. III
Herb Miller
Herb Mogiła
Herb Nabram
Herb Nałęcz
Herb Nieczuja
Herb Niesobia
Herb Nowina
Herb Odrowąż
Herb Odwaga
Herb Odyniec
Herb Ogończyk
Herb Oksza
Herb Orda
Herb Orla
Herb Osek
Herb Ossoliński (Topór)
Herb Ossorya
Herb Ostoja (medieval)
Herb Ostoja
Herb Ostroga
Herb Ostrogski
Herb Pernus (Sperun, Spyra)
Herb Piast (Kołodziej)
Herb Piast
Herb Pierzchała (Sperski)
Herb Pilawa
Herb Piłsudski
Herb Pobóg
Herb Pogoń Litewska
Herb Pogoń Ruska
Herb Półkozic
Herb Pomian
Herb Poraj
Herb Poronia
Herb Pół Orła
Herb Późniak
Herb Prus I
Herb Pus II (Wilczekosy)
Herb Przegonia
Herb Przerowa
Herb Przyjaciel
Herb Puchała
Herb Radwan
Herb Radzislaw
Herb Radziwiłł (Trąby odmiana)
Herb Rawicz
Herb Roch III
Herb Rogala
Herb Rola
Herb Rozmiar
Herb Samson
Herb Sapieha (Lis odmiana)
Herb Sas
Sas II
Herb Siekierz
Herb Skarbomierz
Herb Ślepowron (Bujno, Korwin)
Herb Sokoła
Herb Sołtyk
Herb Starykoń
Herb Straszyński
Herb Strzemię
Herb Suchekomnaty
Herb Sulima
Herb Świąt
Herb Świeńczyc
Herb Świerczek
Herb Świnka
Herb Syrokomla
Herb Szeliga
Herb Szembek
Herb Szreniawa
Herb Tarnawa
Herb Topór
Herb Trąby
Herb Trestka
Herb Trójstrzał
Herb Trzaska
Herb Trzy-Gwiazdy
Herb Trzywdar
Herb Wadwicz
Herb Waga
Herb Warnia
Herb Wąż
Herb Wczele
Herb Wieniawa
Herb Wierzbna
Herb Wilcza-Głowa
Herb Wolf
Herb Wysocki (Pierzchała/Ostoja)
Herb Wyssogota
Herb Zabawa
Herb Zadora
Herb Zagłoba
Herb Zaremba
Herb Zerwikaptur
Herb Zetynian
Herb Zgraja (Janina odmiana)
Herb Zych (Záh)
Herb Zychcki (Drzewica II)
Prawdzic
Images of some personal coat of arms
See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Coats of arms of families of Poland.
References
- ^ "How the nobility was proved". www.szlachta.org. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ "Heydel-Mankoo's Guide to the Polish Aristocracy: The Titled Families of Poland". geocities.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ Nieczuja coat of arms
Bibliography
- Tadeusz Gajl, "Herby szlacheckie Rzeczypospolitej Obojga Narodow", Gdansk, 2003, ISBN 83-88595-12-1
- Polish Coats of Arms listing Archived 2006-11-08 at the Wayback Machine (Polish)
- Armorial
- J. Lyčkoŭski. "Belarusian Nobility Coats of Arms". (in English)
- Górecki, Piotr (1992), Economy, Society, and Lordship in Medieval Poland: 1100–1250, New York, NEW YORK: Holmes and Meier Publishers, Inc., ISBN 0-8419-1318-8, OCLC 25787903
External links
- Polish coats of arms - a full list of Polish coats of arms
- Herbarz szlachty Rzeczypospolitej - Polish noble families, coats of arms and pictures
- Herbarz – list of Polish coats of arms, black and white reproductions