A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hein family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 6571 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un mur de planches de sa., sommé d'un oiseau du même.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Hein Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Hein arms are recorded
The Hein arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Hein Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Hein arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Hein Family in Netherlands
The surname Hein is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Hein. This name itself is a shortened, informal version of the Germanic name Heinrich, which translates to the ruler of the home. By the early nineteenth century, families carrying this name were well-established in the northern province of Friesland. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant changes in how citizens registered their identities. In 1811, Napoleon Bonaparte ordered all Dutch citizens to adopt formal, permanent surnames for tax and military purposes. Before this law, many people in rural areas like Friesland used flexible naming traditions that changed with each generation. The presence of the Hein family in official records by 1815 suggests they were among the many families who solidified their identity during this transition into a modern, state-monitored society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur à trois croisettes pattées d'arg.; aux 2 et 3 fascé de gu. et d'arg., de quatre pièces. Cq. cour. C.: un homme iss., hab. de gu., au rabat d'arg., coiffé d'un bonnet de gu., tenant de sa main dextre une croix pattée d'arg. et de sa sen. un marteau au nat., posé sur son épaule.”
Germanyc. 1708
Where the Hein Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Hein arms are recorded
The Hein arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1708.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
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.
Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor
1705–1711
Reigning in Netherlands when the Hein 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 Hein Family in Germany
The surname Hein originated as a short form of the Germanic name Heinrich, which translates to "ruler of the home." During the Middle Ages, people often used these shortened versions as nicknames to distinguish individuals within a community. By the time members of the family were recorded in Bavaria in 1708, the name had become a well-established hereditary surname. Families bearing this name were typically part of the rural or middle-class population, often working as farmers or skilled tradespeople in the southern German regions. Because the name was derived from a popular given name, it appeared independently in various towns across Germany as the practice of using permanent family names became standard. These early ancestors lived through a period of significant social change in Bavaria, where local church records began to track the movement and growth of families with greater precision.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au lion d'or, soutenu d'une terrasse rocheuse d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: le lion ramp., tenant de sa patte dextre trois roses de gu., bout. d'or, tigées et feuillées de sin.; entre deux prob., coupées alt. d'or et de gu. L.: d'or et de gu.”
Austriac. 1612
Where the Hein Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Hein arms are recorded
The Hein arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1612.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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
Tyrol
First recorded
1612
Granting Authority for the Hein Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Emperor Rudolf II
Sovereign of the period
Emperor Rudolf II
1576–1612
Reigning in Netherlands when the Hein 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 Austria.
Origin & History of the Hein Family in Austria
The family name Hein has deep roots in the mountainous landscape of Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were established as early as 1612. During this period, the name functioned as a shortened form of names like Heinrich, which was a very popular choice throughout the German-speaking regions of the Holy Roman Empire. Families living in the Tyrol region often worked as farmers, miners, or skilled tradespeople, as the rugged terrain required residents to be highly adaptable and hardworking. Because the region served as a vital crossroads for trade between Italy and the northern lands, the Hein family likely interacted with diverse groups of travelers and merchants. Over the centuries, the name remained tied to the local community, reflecting the steady and resilient nature of the people who helped shape the cultural identity of the Austrian Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haimo
A Germanic root meaning home or enclosure.
This name
HeinDerived from a short form of Germanic names containing the element home or house.
also spelled
Heyn
Heinn
Heine
Hine
Related arms
Heynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1957
Van Driel, L., Nederlandse familienamen: herkomst en geschiedenis, 2003
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (1811-1950)
Nationaal Archief, Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand (1811-1815)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
