A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hail family of Germany.
Reg. 8527 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Tranché d'azur sur or; à un griffon de l'un en l'autre. C.: deux prob. d'or, ch. chacune d'une fasce d'azur.”
GermanyNördlingen Bav, c. 1765
Where the Hail Arms Were Recorded
Nördlingen
Map of Germany showing where the Hail arms are recorded
The Hail 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 Hail 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 Hail Family in Germany
The family name Hail is deeply rooted in the history of the Swabian region of Germany. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the town of Nördlingen. During this period, Nördlingen was a significant center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Hail line were often integrated into the local guild systems or agricultural life of the town. The name itself likely evolved from older Germanic roots related to personal attributes or geographic features common to the Bavarian and Swabian landscapes. As residents of a free imperial city, members of the Hail family would have been subject to the unique legal and social structures of the Holy Roman Empire, which shaped their daily lives and economic opportunities. Over generations, the family helped contribute to the cultural and social fabric of this historic walled city, leaving a lasting mark on the local community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heil
Derived from the Middle High German word for health or salvation.
This name
HailA topographic name for someone living near a place associated with health, luck, or divine favor.
also spelled
Hayl
Hale
Related arms
Haylvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Nördlingen, Bürgerbuch der Stadt Nördlingen (1765)
Gottlieb, A., Die Geschichte der Stadt Nördlingen, 1920
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
