A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Haff family of Germany.
Reg. 0278 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. au lion d'or, tenant une pignate d'arg. et soutenu d'un tertre de sin. C.: le lion, iss.”
GermanyNördlingen Bav, c. 1765
Where the Haff Arms Were Recorded
Nördlingen
Map of Germany showing where the Haff arms are recorded
The Haff arms were recorded in Nördlingen 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 Haff 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 Haff Family in Germany
The family name Haff is deeply rooted in the linguistic traditions of southern Germany, where it likely originated as a topographic descriptor. In the Middle High German language, the term "haf" or "haff" referred to a bay, a coastal lagoon, or a stretch of enclosed water. While the name is often associated with coastal regions, families bearing this name also established themselves in inland areas like Nördlingen, a historic town in Bavaria. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Haff family were well-established residents of this community. During this era, Nördlingen was a significant center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Haffs were often integrated into the local guild systems or agricultural life of the region. The persistence of the name in these municipal records suggests that the family played a steady role in the social and economic fabric of the town for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haf
A Middle High German term referring to a pot or vessel.
This name
HaffAn occupational name for a potter or someone who lived near a harbor or bay.
also spelled
Haf
Haffe
Haffh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Nördlingen, Bürgerbuch der Stadt Nördlingen (1765)
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt (1967)
Kohlheim, Rosa and Volker Kohlheim, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung (2005)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
