A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hans family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6022 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 gu. au chev. ployé d'or.”
FranceStrasbourg, c. 1663
Where the Hans Arms Were Recorded
Strasbourg
Map of France showing where the Hans arms are recorded
The Hans arms were recorded in Strasbourg, c. 1663.
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 Hans 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 Hans Family in France
The name Hans carries a deep history rooted in the border regions of France, particularly within the city of Strasbourg. By the year 1663, records confirm that families bearing this name were already established in this vibrant cultural crossroads. The name itself functions as a shortened form of Johannes, which was a very popular name across Europe during the Middle Ages. Because Strasbourg sits on the border of France and Germany, the Hans family lived in a unique environment where languages and customs blended together. Early members of the family likely worked as tradespeople or farmers, contributing to the local economy of the Alsace region. Their presence in the city during the seventeenth century suggests they were part of the steady growth of urban life in eastern France. Over time, the name became a permanent fixture in the local community, reflecting the long-standing heritage of families who helped shape the identity of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Éc.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à la fasce de gu., ch. de trois coquilles d'arg.; aux 2 et 3 d'or à la demi-aigle de sa., cour. d'or, mouv. du parti. Cq. cour. C.: une aigle de sa., cour. d'or. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et de sa.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Hans Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Hans arms are recorded
The Hans arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Hans Family in Switzerland
The name Hans originated as a shortened form of the Germanic name Johannes, which eventually became a common given name across German-speaking regions. In the context of Switzerland, the name transitioned from a personal identifier to a family surname as record-keeping practices became more standardized in the eighteenth century. By 1745, families bearing this name were well-established in the city and canton of Bern. During this era, Bern was a powerful city-state where families often identified with specific local parishes or trade guilds to secure their social standing. The presence of the Hans family in Bern suggests they were part of the local citizenry who participated in the agricultural or artisanal life of the region. As the family grew, they integrated into the administrative structures of the Swiss Confederation, leaving behind records in local church registers that tracked births, marriages, and deaths. These early generations helped define the family’s identity within the complex social hierarchy of the Bernese territory.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Iohannes
A Hebrew name meaning God is gracious.
This name
HansA Germanic and French diminutive form signifying God has shown favor.
also spelled
Hanz
Hannes
Hantz
Related arms
Hannesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin, Registres paroissiaux de Strasbourg
Barth, Médard, Handbuch der elsässischen Kirchengeschichte, 1960
Livet, Georges, L'Intendance d'Alsace sous Louis XIV, 1956
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
