A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hepple family of Germany.
Reg. 6555 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or au lion de sa.; au 2 de gu. à la fasce vivrée d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: un chapeau pyramidal aux armes du 2, sommé de cinq pl. d'aut., alt. de gu. et d'arg.; entre un vol coupé, à dextre d'or sur sa., à sen. de gu. sur arg., chaque aile ch. d'un crampon d'arg. br. sur le coupé. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Hepple arms are recorded
The Hepple 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 Hepple 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 Hepple Family in Germany
The name Hepple is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the border regions between England and Scotland, where it originated as a locational surname derived from a village in Northumberland. By the mid-eighteenth century, branches of the family had migrated into Central Europe, establishing a documented presence in Bavaria by 1765. During this era, families often moved across borders to seek new agricultural opportunities or to serve in local administrative roles within the Holy Roman Empire. These early ancestors were likely part of a broader movement of skilled individuals who brought their traditional naming customs into new territories. As they settled in Bavarian communities, the family integrated into the local social fabric while maintaining the distinct identity associated with their ancestral name. This migration highlights the mobility of families during the Enlightenment period as they adapted to the cultural and economic shifts occurring throughout the German states.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hepple
Derived from Old English words for hip or rose and clearing.
This name
HeppleA habitational name referring to a settlement located near a rose-covered clearing.
also spelled
Hepele
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv), Kurbayern Hofkammer Buchführung
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Staudacher, Wilhelm, Die bayerische Bevölkerung im 18. Jahrhundert, 1974
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
