A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Heinrichsen family of Germany.
Reg. 3782 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
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 la fasce d'arg., soutenue d'un demi-pal du même; à un demi-crocodile d'arg., les mâchoires et les nageoires d'or, mouv. du flanc sen. C.: un poisson renv., iss. d'arg.”
GermanyGiessen, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Heinrichsen arms are recorded
The Heinrichsen arms were recorded in Giessen, 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 Heinrichsen 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 Heinrichsen Family in Germany
The surname Heinrichsen is a patronymic name, which means it was originally formed by adding a suffix to a father's given name to signify descent. In this case, the name translates to "son of Heinrich," a popular Germanic name meaning "home ruler." By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the town of Giessen, located in the modern-day state of Hesse, Germany. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the family were active participants in the local community during this period. As a center for trade and education, Giessen provided a stable environment for families like the Heinrichsens to grow and maintain their records within local church and municipal registers. These documents reflect a time when families were increasingly identified by fixed surnames, helping to track lineage and social standing across generations in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heinrich
Derived from Germanic elements meaning home ruler or enclosure ruler.
This name
HeinrichsenA patronymic surname indicating the son of a man named Heinrich.
also spelled
Heinrichson
Heynrichsen
Heinrichsenn
Hinriksen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kohl, Wilhelm. Hessische Familienkunde. 1968
Stadtarchiv Gießen. Kirchenbücher der Stadt Gießen (1700–1800)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
