A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hank family of France.
Reg. 2085 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à une ancre de sa., acc. en chef de deux étoiles de gu.”
Ile-de-FranceTour · Ile-de-France, c. 1663
Where the Hank Arms Were Recorded
Ile-de-France
Map of France showing where the Hank arms are recorded
The Hank arms were recorded in Ile-de-France, c. 1663.
Ile-de-France is the country around Paris, and proximity to the court mattered. Families who served the crown were rewarded with land near it, and land near the capital carried arms almost as a matter of course.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Hank arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ile-de-France.
Origin & History of the Hank Family in France
The family name Hank traces its roots to the vibrant landscape of the Ile-de-France region, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this area served as the political and cultural heart of France, placing the family in a central position during a time of significant social change. The name likely evolved as a regional variation or a shorthand form of longer personal names common to the era. Families living in this part of France often moved between rural villages and the growing urban centers near Paris to pursue trade or agricultural work. By settling in this historic province, the early members of the family became part of the complex social fabric that defined the French countryside during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Jehan
The Hebrew name Yohanan meaning God is gracious.
This name
HankA diminutive form of the name John, signifying grace and divine favor.
also spelled
Hainque
Hainck
Hank
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives nationales de France, Minutier central des notaires de Paris
Boudon, Françoise, L'urbanisme à l'époque moderne, 1992
Foisil, Madeleine, Le journal de Jean Héroard, 1989
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
