A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harmen family of Germany.
Reg. 2222 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à trois belettes sautantes d'arg C.: un vol, aux armes de l'écu.”
WestphaliaWestphalia, c. 1765
Where the Harmen Arms Were Recorded
Westphalia
Map of Germany showing where the Harmen arms are recorded
The Harmen arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought arms.
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 Harmen 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 Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Harmen Family in Germany
The surname Harmen is a patronymic name, which means it originated from the given name Herman. In the German language, this name combines the words for army and man, suggesting that early ancestors were likely associated with military service or leadership. By 1765, records confirm that the Harmen family was well-established in the Westphalia region of Germany. During this period, Westphalia was a landscape defined by small farming communities and a growing connection to the Holy Roman Empire. Families like the Harmens often lived in rural villages where they worked the land or practiced skilled trades. As the population grew, the family name became a way to track lineage and property ownership within these local parishes. Over time, the name spread as younger generations moved to nearby towns to seek new opportunities in commerce and craftsmanship.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hariman
Derived from the Germanic elements for army and man.
This name
HarmenA name signifying a warrior or a man of the army.
also spelled
Harman
Herman
Harmon
Related arms
Harmanvariant spelling
Hermanvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung, 1971
Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen und katholischen Kirchengemeinden in Westfalen, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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