A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Heinsen family of Germany.
Reg. 0210 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Coupé: au 1 parti: a. d'or à la demi-aigle de gu., mouv. du parti; b. d'azur à une grue avec sa vigilance d'arg.; au 2 d'arg. à un mur sans crénelures, maçonné de briques de gu. et d'arg. en six rangs, et supp. trois maisonnettes de gu. Cq. cour. C.: la grue, entre un vol d'or. L.: à dextre d'or et de gu., à sen. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Heinsen arms are recorded
The Heinsen arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Heinsen 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 Heinsen Family in Germany
The family name Heinsen originates from the Germanic regions of Europe and functions as a patronymic, meaning it was originally derived from a father’s given name. In this case, the name evolved from a variation of Heinrich, which translates to "ruler of the home." By the mid-18th century, records confirm that the Heinsen family had established a firm presence in Bavaria. During this period, Bavaria was a collection of rural territories where families often lived in the same village for generations, working primarily in agriculture or skilled trades. Because the name was tied to a common given name, it likely emerged independently in different locations as a way to identify individuals within their local communities. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the local economy and the cultural development of their Bavarian home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heinrich
Home ruler or ruler of the enclosure
This name
HeinsenA patronymic surname meaning son of Heinrich or son of the home ruler
also spelled
Heinsen
Heynson
Heinsonn
Hinson
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
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
