A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Henz family of Germany.
Reg. 3778 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'azur à un croiss. d'or, abaissé sous une fleur-de-lis d'arg. C.: les meubles de l'écu; entre deux prob., coupées alt. d'or et d'azur. L. d'or et d'azur.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Henz arms are recorded
The Henz arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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 Henz 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 Henz Family in Germany
The surname Henz is a shortened form of the Germanic name Heinrich, which translates to ruler of the home. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the city of Nuremberg. During this period, Nuremberg served as a major hub for skilled craftsmanship and international trade. Families like the Henz clan often integrated into the city’s thriving guild system, where they likely worked as artisans or merchants. Because Nuremberg was a center for metalworking and clockmaking, it is probable that early family members contributed to the city’s reputation for high-quality manufacturing. Living in such a prominent urban center suggests that the family played an active role in the social and economic life of the Holy Roman Empire before the major political shifts of the nineteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heinrich
Derived from Germanic elements meaning home and ruler.
This name
HenzA patronymic form representing a descendant of a powerful home ruler.
also spelled
Hents
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 Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
