A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hecker family of France.
Reg. 8823 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Tranché d'or sur azur; à deux harpons de l'un à l'autre, posés en bandes, le premier ayant la pointe en bas, le second la pointe en haut.”
FranceStrasbourg, c. 1663
Where the Hecker Arms Were Recorded
Strasbourg
Map of France showing where the Hecker arms are recorded
The Hecker 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 Hecker 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 Hecker Family in France
The surname Hecker is rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it functioned as an occupational name. It is derived from the Middle High German word "hecke," which refers to a hedge or a thicket. In early society, this name likely identified someone who lived near a prominent hedge or perhaps a person who worked as a hedge-trimmer or a fence builder. By the mid-17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Strasbourg, a city that served as a vital cultural and political crossroads between France and Germany. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Hecker family were active residents in this region during a time of significant social change. As the family grew, they integrated into the local urban life of Strasbourg, contributing to the professional and civic development of the city throughout the late 1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hag
A hedge or an enclosed piece of land.
This name
HeckerAn occupational name for someone who lived near a hedge or worked as a hedge-cutter.
also spelled
Heker
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
Archives de la Ville et de l’Eurométropole de Strasbourg, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
