A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Henschel family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9861 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à une corne d'abondance d'azur, tenue par deux mains opposées de carn., sortant de nuées mouv. des flancs. C.: une Fortune tenant son voile au-dessus de sa tête, et soutenue d'un globe ailé.”
GermanyAugsbourg, c. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Henschel arms are recorded
The Henschel arms were recorded in Augsbourg, c. 1765.
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 Henschel 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Henschel Family in Germany
The surname Henschel originates as a diminutive form of the name Johannes, serving as a common nickname for someone named Hans in the German-speaking regions. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Augsburg, which was then a major center for trade, banking, and craftsmanship within the Holy Roman Empire. During this era, families like the Henschels often integrated into the local guild systems or merchant classes that defined the social structure of Bavarian urban life. As the name spread through various German territories, it became associated with families who contributed to the steady growth of local industry and civic administration. The presence of the Henschel name in Augsburg records from 1765 highlights a period when the family was firmly rooted in the economic and cultural heart of southern Germany.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 de gu. sur arg.; à une fleur-de-lis de l'un en l'autre. C.: la fleur-de-lis; entre deux prob., coupées alt. de gu. et d'arg.”
Austriac. 1634
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Austria showing where the Henschel arms are recorded
The Henschel arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1634.
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
1634
Granting Authority for the Henschel Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
1619–1637
Reigning in Germany when the Henschel 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 Henschel Family in Austria
The family name Henschel finds its roots in the Germanic naming traditions of the Middle Ages, serving as a diminutive form of the name Johannes or Hans. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the rugged landscape of Tyrol. Records confirm that members of the Henschel family were living in this mountainous region by 1634. During this period, Tyrol served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between the Italian peninsula and the German-speaking lands. Families like the Henschels often integrated into the local economy by working as skilled craftsmen, farmers, or merchants who navigated the challenging Alpine terrain. Their survival and growth in such a geographically isolated area suggest that they were well-connected to the local village structures and the administrative systems of the Austrian Habsburg territories. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the regional identity of the Tyrol area, reflecting the broader migration and settlement patterns of central Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hans
A diminutive form of Johannes meaning God is gracious.
This name
HenschelA patronymic surname derived from a pet form of the name John.
also spelled
Henschel
Hentsel
Henshel
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
Stadtarchiv Augsburg, Bürgerbuch der Stadt Augsburg, 1765
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
handFaith, sincerity and justice
handFaith, sincerity and justice
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
