Map of Austria showing where the Hendel arms are recorded
The Hendel arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Hendel Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Hendel arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Hendel Family in Austria
The family name Hendel has deep roots in the Alpine regions of Central Europe, particularly within the mountainous territory of Tyrol. By the year 1772, records confirm that members of the Hendel family were established residents in this area. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the Middle High German word "handel," which often referred to a person involved in trade or commerce. This suggests that early ancestors may have been merchants or market traders who traveled along the busy mountain passes connecting Northern Italy to the German lands. As these families settled into the valleys of Tyrol, they became part of a distinct regional culture defined by farming, craftsmanship, and the local governance of the Habsburg Empire. Over time, the name became a permanent fixture in local parish registers and land records, documenting a lineage that was closely tied to the economic life of the Alpine landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Johannes
Derived from Hebrew meaning God is gracious.
This name
HendelA diminutive form of the name Johannes, historically used as a pet name.
also spelled
Hendell
Hendelle
Related arms
Hendlvariant spelling
Henndelvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Huter, Franz. Tiroler Urkundenbuch, 1937
Tyrol State Archives (Tiroler Landesarchiv), Tiroler Steuerkataster, 1772
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
