A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Henkel family of France.
Reg. 3360 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Coupé: au 1 de sa. au lion naiss. d'azur, arm. et lamp. de gu., mouv. du coupé; au 2 de gu. à trois doubles roses d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: le lion iss., cour. d'or. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. de sa. et d'azur.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Henkel arms are recorded
The Henkel arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Henkel arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Henkel Family in France
The family name Henkel originates from the German language as a diminutive form of the name Heinrich, which translates to Henry. Historically, this name functioned as a term of endearment, essentially meaning little Henry or son of Henry. While the name is deeply rooted in Germanic regions, the presence of the family in the Bretagne region of France by 1725 suggests a significant migration pattern during the early eighteenth century. Families often moved across European borders during this era to seek new opportunities in trade, agriculture, or military service. Settling in a coastal area like Bretagne likely integrated the family into a distinct cultural environment while they maintained their ancestral naming traditions. This transition highlights how a surname can travel across linguistic boundaries while preserving the history of its original roots.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heinrich
Germanic name meaning home ruler or ruler of the enclosure.
This name
HenkelA diminutive form of the name Henry, often used as a nickname for someone named Heinrich.
also spelled
Henkel
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
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
