A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hanz family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1490 · 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 Hanz Arms Were Recorded
Strasbourg
Map of France showing where the Hanz arms are recorded
The Hanz 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 Hanz 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 Hanz Family in France
The history of the Hanz family in France is deeply rooted in the unique cultural landscape of Strasbourg during the seventeenth century. By 1663, the family was already established in this city, which served as a vital crossroads between French and Germanic influences. At that time, Strasbourg was a free imperial city that eventually transitioned under French control, creating a complex environment for families living in the Alsace region. The name likely evolved from regional naming traditions where short, punchy sounds were common for identifying individuals in local parish registries. As residents of a bustling trade hub, early members of the Hanz family were likely involved in the vibrant craft or merchant guilds that defined the city’s economy. Their presence in the historical records of Strasbourg highlights their integration into a society that was rapidly changing as it moved toward a new era of French administration.
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 Hanz Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Hanz arms are recorded
The Hanz 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 Hanz Family in Switzerland
The family name Hanz has deep roots in the Swiss canton of Bern, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1745. During this period, Bern was a powerful city-state governed by a strict social hierarchy, and families like the Hanz were often integrated into the local agricultural or trade economies that defined the region. The name itself likely evolved as a short form of the name Johannes, which was a very common practice in German-speaking areas of Switzerland during the eighteenth century. As residents of Bern, these early family members would have lived through a time of significant political stability and economic growth within the Old Swiss Confederacy. By maintaining a presence in this influential city, the Hanz family became part of the long tradition of Swiss citizens who helped shape the local culture and community life of the Bernese highlands and surrounding valleys.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Johannes
Hebrew origin meaning God is gracious.
This name
HanzA diminutive form of John, signifying grace and divine favor.
also spelled
Hanz
Hannes
Hantz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de la ville et de l'Eurométropole de Strasbourg, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Livet, Georges, L'intendance d'Alsace sous Louis XIV, 1648-1715, 1956
Reuss, Rodolphe, Histoire d'Alsace, 1916
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
