Map of France showing where the Henne arms are recorded
The Henne arms were recorded in Artois, c. 1663.
Artois lay on the disputed ground between France and the Low Countries and was fought over for centuries. Families there held their land under arms, and a shield was how a fighting household was known.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Henne 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 Artois.
Origin & History of the Henne Family in France
The surname Henne has deep roots in the historical region of Artois, which is located in present-day northern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Henne family were already established residents in this area. The name itself is thought to have originated as a short form or a variation of Germanic personal names like Johannes or Heinrich, which were very common throughout Western Europe during the Middle Ages. As people began to adopt fixed surnames to distinguish themselves from their neighbors, the name evolved into a family identifier that was passed down through generations. Living in Artois during the seventeenth century placed the family in a region defined by its strategic importance and its complex history of shifting borders between French and Spanish control. This environment shaped the lives of early family members as they navigated the agricultural and social structures of the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Johannes
God is gracious
This name
HenneA diminutive form of Jean, originating from the Hebrew name Yochanan.
also spelled
Henn
Henneh
Related arms
Baliquerecorded with Henne, same area
Boucq (le) de la Mouzellerecorded with Henne, same area
Druardrecorded with Henne, same area
Dubuissonrecorded with Henne, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Pas-de-Calais, Registres paroissiaux et état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
swordJustice, and military honour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
swordJustice, and military honour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
