A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Henzel family of Germany.
Reg. 3534 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 la fasce crén. de gu., acc. de trois étoiles d'or, celle en p. surmontant un croiss. d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: un croiss. d'arg., surm. d'une étoile d'or; entre un vol coupé, à dextre d'arg.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Henzel arms are recorded
The Henzel arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Henzel 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 Henzel Family in Germany
The surname Henzel originated as a diminutive form of the name Johannes, which was a very popular choice in German-speaking regions during the Middle Ages. By adding the suffix "el" to the base name, families created a friendly or affectionate nickname that eventually became a permanent hereditary surname. Records confirm that members of the Henzel family were established in the Bavarian region by 1765, where they likely lived as farmers, craftsmen, or tradespeople within the local village structures. During this period, families often stayed in the same geographic area for generations, which helped the Henzel name become deeply rooted in the social and economic fabric of southern Germany. As the family grew, individuals moved between neighboring towns to seek new opportunities, helping to spread the name throughout the Bavarian countryside and beyond.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Johannes
God is gracious
This name
HenzelA diminutive form of the name John, meaning little John or son of John.
also spelled
Henzel
Hentsel
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
