Map of Germany showing where the Hanna arms are recorded
The Hanna arms were recorded in Ostfrise, 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 Hanna 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 Hanna Family in Germany
The surname Hanna has deep roots in the northern regions of Germany, particularly within the coastal area of Ostfriesland. By the mid-eighteenth century, families bearing this name were well-established in the local community, as evidenced by records dating back to 1765. The name likely originated as a shortened form of the name Johannes, which was a very popular choice in the region during the Middle Ages. As naming customs evolved, people began using these nicknames as permanent family identifiers to distinguish between different households in growing villages. In the flat, windswept landscape of Ostfriesland, families named Hanna were often involved in the agricultural life of the North Sea coast. Over generations, these families became deeply connected to the local culture and the specific dialect of the region, helping to preserve their history through parish registers and regional administrative documents.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'azur à un coq d'arg., crêté et barbé de gu., acc. de trois étoiles d'or.”
Francec. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Hanna arms are recorded
The Hanna arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Germany when the Hanna 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 France.
Origin & History of the Hanna Family in France
The history of the Hanna family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Bretagne, where records confirm their presence as early as 1663. During this period, the region was a distinct cultural hub with its own traditions and social structures. Families like the Hannas often lived in rural parishes where they were integrated into the local agricultural or maritime communities. Because Bretagne maintained a unique identity separate from the rest of France, families living there often held onto specific regional customs and naming patterns for generations. By settling in this area in the mid-seventeenth century, the early members of the Hanna family became part of a long tradition of Breton life, navigating the challenges of a changing society while establishing their place within the local parish registers. These early records provide a clear window into the daily lives of ancestors who helped shape the history of their community long before modern migration patterns shifted the family name across the globe.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. de gu., acc. de trois têtes de griffon de sa., languées de gu. Cq. cour. C.: une aigle iss. de sa., languée de gu. L.: d'arg. et de gu. S.: deux griffons d'or, tenant chacun une bannière, celle à dextre aux armes de l'écu, ou d'azur semée de bill. d'or, au lion du même, cour. aussi d'or, br. sur le tout (seigneurie de Leeuwerghem), celle à sen. bandée d'azur et d'or, à une ombre de lion cour., br. sur le tout, à la bord. comp. de gu. et d'arg. de seize pièces (principauté de Steenhuyse). D.: A DEO ET REGE.”
Belgiumc. 1648
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Map of Belgium showing where the Hanna arms are recorded
The Hanna arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1648.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Philip IV of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip IV of Spain
1621–1665
Reigning in Germany when the Hanna arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Hanna Family in Belgium
The history of the Hanna family in Belgium is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Duchy of Brabant. By the year 1648, which marked the end of the Eighty Years' War and the signing of the Peace of Münster, members of the family were already established residents within this influential region. During this period, Brabant served as a vital crossroads for trade, religion, and political change in the Low Countries. Families living there often navigated the complex transition from Spanish rule to the shifting borders of the era. The presence of the Hanna name in local records suggests that these early ancestors were likely integrated into the agricultural or merchant classes that sustained the local economy. Their survival and growth in Brabant during such a turbulent century speak to the resilience of the family as they adapted to the evolving social structures of early modern Belgium.
Hanna Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Yochanan
Hebrew for God is gracious
This name
HannaA German variant of John, signifying grace and divine favor.
also spelled
Hanne
Haen
Hanna
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahl, Ludwig, Die Familiennamen im nordwestlichen Deutschland, 1982
Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv, Kirchenbücher der evangelisch-lutherischen Kirchengemeinden in Ostfriesland, 1765
Udolph, Jürgen, Die Ortsnamen der Grafschaft Ostfriesland, 1994
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
