A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Heldmann family of Germany.
Reg. 8820 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'azur à la bande d'arg., ch. d'un lion léopardé d'or, supp. de ses pattes une étoile de sa. Cq. cour. C.: un chevalier iss., la visière levée, le casque panaché d'arg., tenant une épée. L. d'or et d'azur.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1761
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Map of Germany showing where the Heldmann arms are recorded
The Heldmann arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1761.
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 Heldmann 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Heldmann Family in Germany
The surname Heldmann originates from the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, specifically emerging as a descriptive name rooted in the Middle High German language. The name is derived from the word "held," which translates to hero or brave warrior, combined with the suffix "mann," meaning man. Historically, this name was often used as a nickname for a courageous individual or a soldier who displayed notable bravery in his community. By the mid-18th century, records confirm that families bearing the name Heldmann were well-established in the region of Bavaria. During this era, these families were typically involved in local agriculture or skilled trades, living within the structured social systems of the Bavarian electorate. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of village life, contributing to the development of the rural economy and the cultural traditions of southern Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Held
A hero, warrior, or champion of noble character.
This name
HeldmannA person who serves as a hero or a valiant warrior.
also spelled
Heldmann-Diessfurth
Helldmann-Diessfurth
Heldmann-Diessfurt
Heldman auf Diesfurth
Heldmann
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 Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
