Map of Germany showing where the Herding arms are recorded
The Herding arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1636.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
1619–1637
Reigning in Germany when the Herding 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 Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Herding Family in Germany
The surname Herding traces its roots to the Westphalia region of Germany, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1636. The name is generally considered a topographic or occupational descriptor, likely originating from the Middle Low German word "herde," which refers to a shepherd or a keeper of a herd. During the seventeenth century, Westphalia was a landscape defined by small agrarian communities and dense forests, making the role of a herdsman vital to the local economy. Families with this name were often tied to the land and livestock management, serving as essential providers for their rural villages. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, maintaining their presence through generations of agricultural life and local trade.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hard
Derived from the Germanic word for brave, hardy, or strong.
This name
HerdingRefers to a descendant of someone known for their bold or courageous nature.
Related arms
Hätzenbergersame arms
Hunzikersimilar arms
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
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung, 1971
Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen, Kirchenbücher und Personenstandsregister der westfälischen Provinzen, 1636
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
