Map of Germany showing where the Hell arms are recorded
The Hell arms were recorded in Franconia, c. 1765.
Franconia was a patchwork of small territories in central Germany, full of minor landowners and prosperous market towns. So many separate households held land there that the region produced a great many coats of 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.
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 Hell 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 Franconia.
Origin & History of the Hell Family in Germany
The surname Hell has deep roots in the German language, often originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a bright or clear area, or occasionally as a descriptive nickname. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the Franconia region of Germany. During this era, Franconia was a patchwork of small territories governed by various bishops and local lords, which made life for families like the Hells centered around agriculture and local trade. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the family were active participants in these rural communities, likely working as farmers or craftsmen who contributed to the stability of the local economy. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, navigating the complex political shifts of the Holy Roman Empire while maintaining their ties to the Franconian landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à deux pattes de lion de gu., passées en saut., les ongles en haut. C.: deux pattes de lion de gu., en pals, les ongles en haut [Comp. Häll de Suntheim.]”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Hell arms are recorded
The Hell arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Hell Family in Switzerland
The history of the Hell family in Switzerland is deeply rooted in the administrative and social landscape of the Canton of Bern. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were established residents within the city, participating in the local economy and civic life of the region. During this era, Bern was a powerful city-state governed by a strict hierarchy, and families like the Hells often integrated into the urban fabric through trade, craftsmanship, or service to the local government. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term in Middle High German, often used to identify individuals who lived near bright or clear locations, or perhaps those who worked in specific roles within the community. As the family grew in Bern during the 1740s, they became part of the steady population that helped shape the city’s transition into the modern age. Their presence in the official registers of the time reflects a period of stability and organized record-keeping that characterizes Swiss genealogical history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Erm. three lozenges gu”
KentHellcourt · Kent, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Hell arms are recorded
The Hell arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Germany when the Hell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Kent.
Origin & History of the Hell Family in England
The surname Hell has deep roots in the English landscape, particularly within the county of Kent where records confirm the family was established by the early seventeenth century. While the name often sparks curiosity due to its modern meaning, it likely originated as a topographic descriptor for people who lived near a specific geographical feature, such as a hidden hollow or a secluded slope. In the dialect of medieval England, such terms were common ways to identify neighbors based on their homes or local landmarks. By the time the family appeared in Kentish parish registers in 1620, they were already part of a settled community of farmers and tradespeople. These early ancestors lived through a period of significant social change, helping to shape the local identity of their parishes through their daily work and community involvement. Their presence in the historical record serves as a quiet testament to the long history of families who built their lives in the English countryside long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hel
Old High German term referring to a hollow, slope, or hidden place.
This name
HellA topographic name for someone who lived in a hollow, ravine, or shaded valley.
also spelled
Helle
Hel
Hellel
Hylle
Hellee
Related arms
Twingensteinsimilar arms
Abelrecorded with Hell, same area
Widmannrecorded with Hell, same area
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
Staatsarchiv Bamberg, Standesamtliche Unterlagen und Kirchenbücher der Region Franken, 1765
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
