A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Heinemann family of Germany.
Reg. 4664 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
bombOne who has faced a great siege
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à un homme d'armes, arm. au nat., supp. de sa main dextre une grenade d'or, allumée de gu. Cq. cour. C.: un arbre au nat., entre un vol de sa. L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
GermanyBrunswick, c. 1765
Where the Heinemann Arms Were Recorded
Brunswick
Map of Germany showing where the Heinemann arms are recorded
The Heinemann arms were recorded in Brunswick, 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 Heinemann 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 Heinemann Family in Germany
The surname Heinemann is a patronymic name, which means it was originally derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. It is a diminutive form of the name Heinrich, which translates to "home ruler" or "ruler of the house." During the Middle Ages, families often added suffixes like "-mann" to a personal name to identify a person as a follower or a member of a specific household. By the time your ancestors were documented in Brunswick in 1765, the name had become a stable hereditary surname used to distinguish your family within the local community. Because Brunswick was a major center for trade and craft guilds during the eighteenth century, it is likely that early family members were integrated into the city’s urban economy as skilled workers or merchants. This transition from a personal nickname to a fixed family name reflects the broader shift in European society toward formal record-keeping and organized civil registration.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haim
Germanic root meaning home or enclosure.
This name
HeinemannA diminutive form meaning little man from the home or protector of the home.
also spelled
Heineman
Hineman
Related arms
Heinemanvariant 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
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen, 1971
Stadtarchiv Braunschweig, Bürger- und Einwohnerverzeichnisse der Stadt Braunschweig, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
knightChivalry and service in arms
bombOne who has faced a great siege
knightChivalry and service in arms
bombOne who has faced a great siege
