Matthias Friedrich Bork

Heraldry of the World
Personal arms

MATTHIAS FRIEDRICH BORK, Dr.h.c.

Registration no.: 031/2021

Country of origin : Germany, Canada
Place of origin : -
Granted : No
Granted/officially recorded by : -

Official English blazon

Shield: Per fess Azure and Or, a triple-towered castle issuant from base counterchanged, between in chief two fleurs-de-lis Argent.
Crest: Issuant from a wreath Or and Azure, a demi-lion erect Or, armed, langued and crowned Gules.

Other language blazon

German: Schild: Geteilt von Blau und Gold, darin in verwechselten Farben eine gezinnte Burgmauer, überhöht in verwechselten Farben durch einen von zwei Seitentürmen, über diesen je eine silberne Lilie, flankierten, gezinnten Torturm mit silbernem Spitzdach.
Helm: Auf dem Helm mit blau-goldenem Wulst und Decke wachsend ein rot-bewehrter, -gezungter und gekrönter goldener Löwe.

Origin/meaning

The family name “Bork” experienced phonetic changes over the centuries. In the town of Abenheim during the period 1576-1684 the oldest spelling “Burck”, a short form of the first name “Burkhard”, Burg – hard is Old High German, a compound of words, meaning castle, hard and rigorous. From 1680 the family name is documented as “Burgk” (Castle) and it was not until 1714 when the transcription “Borck” is mentioned. Since about 1850 the current form “Bork” is in use. The castle is the origin of the family name. Based on the coat of arms of the town of Abenheim, the fleur-de-lis was chosen. As well, as an expression of local ties to Abenheim, the tinctures of the crest in blue, gold and silver were selected.