A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hartleben family of France.
Reg. 3633 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“un homme, hab. d'arg., les manches retroussées, iss. des créneaux et jetant une pierre en bas de la tour.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Hartleben Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Hartleben arms are recorded
The Hartleben arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Hartleben 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 Hartleben Family in France
The surname Hartleben originates from Germanic roots, likely combining the words for "hard" or "firm" and "life" or "settlement." While the name carries these linguistic origins, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne, France, by 1725. During this period, the family likely integrated into the local social and economic fabric of the province, which was known for its distinct maritime culture and agricultural traditions. Families with this name often moved across European borders due to shifting political boundaries and the search for new opportunities in trade or land ownership. By settling in Bretagne, the early Hartlebens became part of a diverse community that balanced traditional French customs with the unique regional identity of the area. Their presence in 18th-century records suggests they were part of the steady migration patterns that defined the era, as families sought stability in changing times.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hard-leiben
Derived from Germanic elements meaning brave or hardy and life or body.
This name
HartlebenRefers to a person of courageous spirit or one who possesses a strong, resilient constitution.
also spelled
Hartlebe
Hartlebeen
Hartlebin
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Morvan, Françoise, Bretagne est une île, 2005
Kohlheim, Rosa and Volker, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20.000 Nachnamen, 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
knightChivalry and service in arms
knightChivalry and service in arms
