A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hebenstreit family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7863 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
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)
“De gu. à deux flèches d'arg., passées en saut. C.: une flèche d'arg., posée en pal; entre deux prob., coupées d'arg. sur gu.”
GermanyAugsbourg, c. 1765
Where the Hebenstreit Arms Were Recorded
Augsbourg
Map of Germany showing where the Hebenstreit arms are recorded
The Hebenstreit arms were recorded in Augsbourg, c. 1765.
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 Hebenstreit 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Hebenstreit Family in Germany
The surname Hebenstreit is a descriptive German name that emerged during the Middle Ages. It is formed from the words "heben," meaning to lift or raise, and "streit," meaning conflict or battle. This suggests that the name was originally a nickname given to a person who was known for being a fierce fighter or someone who stood their ground during a dispute. By the time members of the family were recorded in Augsburg in 1765, the name had long been established as a hereditary surname in southern Germany. During this period, Augsburg was a major center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Hebenstreits were often part of the growing urban middle class. They likely worked as skilled tradespeople or merchants, contributing to the economic life of the city as it recovered from the earlier conflicts that had shaped the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
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 un fer de flèche d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: une tête et col de loup au nat., le buste enveloppé d'une toile d'arg.”
CarinthiaCarinthia, c. 1772
Where the Hebenstreit Arms Were Recorded
Carinthia
Map of Austria showing where the Hebenstreit arms are recorded
The Hebenstreit arms were recorded in Carinthia, c. 1772.
Carinthia was Alpine country in southern Austria with iron and lead in its mountains. Mining and landholding both made money, and families who held either kind of property took 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.
Region
Carinthia
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Hebenstreit Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Hebenstreit arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Carinthia.
Origin & History of the Hebenstreit Family in Austria
The surname Hebenstreit carries a history deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of the Alps, with significant ties to the Austrian province of Carinthia. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German words "heben" and "streit," which together suggest a person who was prone to starting arguments or someone who held a firm, unyielding position in a dispute. By the late 18th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Carinthia, a region known for its complex social structure and mountainous terrain. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the local agrarian or artisan communities that defined the Austrian landscape. These early ancestors lived through a period of significant administrative reform under the Habsburg monarchy, which began to formalize record-keeping for common citizens. Through these official registers, we can trace the family’s presence in the southern Austrian valleys, where they contributed to the local development of the region long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
heben + streit
To lift or raise and a conflict or quarrel.
This name
HebenstreitA nickname for a quarrelsome person who is prone to starting arguments or fights.
also spelled
Hebenstreid
Hebenstreyt
Hebenstrit
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Stadtarchiv Augsburg, Bürgerbuch der Stadt Augsburg, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
