A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Haass family of Germany.
Reg. 2695 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à un lièvre sautant d'arg. C.: le lièvre iss., entre deux prob. de gu.”
GermanyGräfenberg Bav, c. 1765
Where the Haass Arms Were Recorded
Gräfenberg Bav
Map of Germany showing where the Haass arms are recorded
The Haass arms were recorded in Gräfenberg Bav, c. 1765.
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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Haass arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Haass Family in Germany
The surname Haass is a German occupational or descriptive name that likely originated from the Middle High German word "hase," meaning hare. In medieval naming traditions, this often served as a nickname for a person who was known for being particularly swift, timid, or perhaps someone who lived near a location associated with hares. By the time your ancestors were documented in Gräfenberg, Bavaria, in 1765, the name had become a stable family identifier within that region. Gräfenberg was a significant town during this era, serving as a hub for trade and local governance in the Franconian region. Families living there during the eighteenth century were often integrated into the local craft guilds or agricultural networks that defined the social structure of the Holy Roman Empire. The presence of the Haass family in these official parish and tax records suggests they were settled members of the community who participated in the daily economic life of the town.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hase
A small, long-eared mammal known for its speed.
This name
HaassA nickname for a swift person or someone with physical features resembling a hare.
also spelled
Has
Haas
Related arms
Hasvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
rabbitOne who lives peaceably and well
