A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hegner family of Germany.
Reg. 5679 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au chev. d'or, ch. de trois roses de gu. C.: un demi-vol, aux armes de l'écu.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
Where the Hegner Arms Were Recorded
Nuremberg
Map of Germany showing where the Hegner arms are recorded
The Hegner arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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 Hegner 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 Hegner Family in Germany
The surname Hegner is rooted in the German language and historically functions as a topographic or occupational descriptor. It is derived from the Middle High German word "hegen," which refers to the act of enclosing, protecting, or tending to a piece of land or a hedge. Consequently, the name likely identified an ancestor who served as a caretaker of a fenced property or a forest warden responsible for maintaining boundaries. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the imperial city of Nuremberg. During this period, Nuremberg served as a major hub for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Hegners often integrated into the city’s structured guild system. Their residence in such a prominent urban center suggests they were active participants in the economic and social life of the Holy Roman Empire, contributing to the professional networks that defined the region during the late 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hagen
An enclosed area, hedge, or protective fence.
This name
HegnerA person who lived near or worked as a keeper of a hedge or enclosure.
also spelled
Hegener
Related arms
Hegenervariant 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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
