Gefrees

GEFREES

State : Bayern
District (Kreis) : Bayreuth (until 1973 Münchberg)
Additions: 1926 Wundenbach; 1927 Grünstein; 1971 Lützenreuth, Zettlitz; 1972 Kornbach; 1973 Metzlersreuth; 1978 Falls, Streitau, Witzleshofen

Official blazon
German	Gespalten; vorne geviert von Schwarz und Silber; hinten in Gold über einer roten Zinnenmauer eine wachsende, rot bewehrte schwarze Bracke mit rotem Halsband, darauf die Inschrift GEFREES.
English	blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

The oldest known use of the arms dates from 1550, when the arms appear on the seal of the town. In 1581 the colours of the arms are known. The elements are derived from the arms of the Hohenzollern family, who used a quartered shield and a dog as a crest. The wall probably indicates the fortifications of the city.

The present arms were officially granted in 1952, as sometimes images were used with a lion instead of the dog, as for example in the image by Hupp in the 1920s, see below.

The municipal stamp shown in 1892	Seal from around 1900
The arms by Hupp in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925	The arms in the Deutsches Wappenmuseum

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