A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hentz family of Switzerland.
Reg. 3333 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à une marque de sa. en forme de croix latine au pied enhendé, le fût ch. d'une petite traverse en barre. C.: un homme iss., hab. d'or, au rabat de sa., rebr. du même, coiffé d'un bonnet albanais d'or, retr. de sa., tenant de sa main dextre la branche d'un compas de sa., ouvert en chevron.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Hentz arms are recorded
The Hentz arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Hentz Family in Switzerland
The family name Hentz carries a rich history rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of Bâle, now known as Basel, Switzerland, by 1745. The name is likely derived from the Old High German name Hanno or Henz, which served as a short form for names like Heinrich. During the eighteenth century, families with this name were often integrated into the urban life of Basel, a bustling center for trade, printing, and banking. As the family established themselves in this region, they participated in the local guilds and civic organizations that defined the social structure of the city. Over time, the name spread across borders as family members migrated for professional opportunities, maintaining their identity while adapting to the cultural shifts of the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hagano
Derived from the Germanic word for enclosure, hedge, or protective fence.
This name
HentzA patronymic surname originating from a nickname for someone living near a hedge.
also spelled
Hents
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, 2002
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister, 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
