The Salomon family of Friedberg (Czech: Salomonové z Friedbergu, German: Salomon von Friedberg, Latin: Salomon de Friedberg) is a Silesian family which originated in Frýdek in Silesia during the 16th century. Etymology At first, when all the family members resided in Frýdek, they used the surname Šalamoun or Šalomun (written as Ssalomon and Ssalomun), inspired by biblical King Solomon of Israel, famous for his wisdom. When the family left Frýdek, they have customized their surname to follow two customs of that time. Firstly, they began to use the second part of their surname, which in that case wasn’t a particle (With the possible exception of Václav Mořic SvF.), but served simply as a place of origin (Fried-berg – Frýdek Hill). And secondly, they moved into German speaking region and thus began to use germanised surname. Šalomon changed to Salomon von Friedberg in German and Salomon de Friedberg in Latin (In many written phonetical variations.). In the 20th century, when nobiliary particles became forbidden, the family members began to use simple surname Friedberg (With the exception of descendants from the second line living in Canada, who still continue to use the full Latin version.). Ennoblement The Salomon family of Friedberg wasn’t of noble origin; back in Frýdek they were members of bourgeoisie and thus were not noble but still free of serfdom. Václav Mořic Salomon of Friedberg did approach nobility, after being awarded with a coat of arms and a title of vladyka (country gentleman) sometime between 1648 – 1650 for his military accomplishments against the Swedes, but nevertheless continued as a politically active member of bourgeoisie. This knowledge eventually faded and the family members living in the first half of the 19th century in Prague did assume they were of noble descent, used coat of arms and have begun to pursue their family history. Many mistakes were made, but request for confirmation, lacking potent evidence, was filled in and subsequently approved in 1863. A most unusual and strange thing happened as the entire family became ex facto ennobled. Confirmation of nobility happened once again in 1865 for another branch of family (descended from the first line). In 1884 was Emanuel Salomon von Friedberg-Mírohorský elevated as a Freiherr (baronet) and also his coat of arms was enhan ced. Heraldry Matyáš Václav Salomon of Friedberg sealed official correspondence with a signet showing his personal coat of arms. Only five exemplars of this