A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hartz family of Germany.
Reg. 9018 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur à un bâton d'arg., accolé d'un serpent du même, tenant entre ses dents un trèfle de sin.; le serpent du 1 cont.; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à un sapin de sin., posé sur un tertre du même. C.: un coq chantant d'arg., crêté et barbé de gu.; entre un vol d'azur, chaque aile ch. d'une fasce d'or, surch. du meuble du 1. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1825
Where the Hartz Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Hartz arms are recorded
The Hartz arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1825.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Hartz arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Hartz Family in Germany
The surname Hartz has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly within the southern state of Bavaria. The name is generally considered a variation of the Middle High German word "hart," which often described someone who lived near a forest or possessed a bold and hardy personality. By the early 19th century, families carrying this name were well-established members of the Bavarian community. During this period, the region was undergoing significant social and economic shifts as it transitioned into the Kingdom of Bavaria. Families like the Hartz line were typically involved in local trades or agriculture, contributing to the steady growth of village life in the rural landscapes of southern Germany. As these individuals moved through the 1820s, they helped shape the cultural fabric of their local parishes through their daily work and community participation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hard
A Germanic term meaning brave, hardy, or strong.
This name
HartzA topographic name for someone living near a forest or a descriptive nickname for a resilient person.
also spelled
Harts
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
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv. Kirchenbücher der bayerischen Pfarreien. 1825
Gottschald, Max. Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung. 1971
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
