A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Herford family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5177 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
knightChivalry and service in arms
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Parti: au 1 coupé: a. d'arg. au lion de sa.; b. d'or à la barre de sa., ch. d'une étoile du champ; au 2 de gu. à un homme, arm. de toutes pièces d'arg., la visière levée, tenant de sa main dextre levée un marteau d'armes du même. Cq. cour. C.: un lion iss. d'or, la tête sommée d'une étoile du même; entre un vol, l'aile dextre d'or, ch. d'une barre de sa. surch. d'une étoile d'or, l'aile sen. de gu. ch. d'une bande d'arg. surch. d'une étoile d'or. L.: à dextre d'arg., d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1645
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Map of Germany showing where the Herford arms are recorded
The Herford arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1645.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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 III, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
1637–1657
Reigning in Germany when the Herford 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 Silesia.
Origin & History of the Herford Family in Germany
The surname Herford originates from the town of Herford in the Westphalia region of Germany, where it first emerged as a locative name to identify individuals who had moved away from their home city. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Silesia, which was then part of the Holy Roman Empire. Records confirm that members of the family were living in this area by 1645, a time when the region was deeply affected by the final years of the Thirty Years' War. As families moved eastward during this period, they often retained their original town name as a way to maintain a connection to their ancestral roots. This migration pattern was common for families seeking new opportunities in the shifting political landscape of central Europe. Over time, the name evolved from a simple geographic descriptor into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations of settlers in the Silesian lands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a fess lozengy gu. a lion pass. guard. in chief sa”
DevonDevon, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Herford arms are recorded
The Herford arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Germany when the Herford arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Devon.
Origin & History of the Herford Family in England
The family name Herford finds its roots in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a locational surname for those who lived near a ford, or a shallow river crossing, associated with a herd of animals. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Devon. This region was a hub of maritime activity and agricultural development during the reign of King James I. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were settled in this part of the West Country, where they likely participated in the local economy of trade and farming. As the name spread across the English countryside, it evolved alongside the shifting social structures of the era, moving from a simple description of a person’s home to a lasting identifier passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heer-ford
Army or host crossing point at a river ford.
This name
HerfordDerived from the German town of Herford, indicating a person from the military river crossing.
also spelled
Herfort
Herfurd
Harford
Hereford
Related arms
Herefordvariant spelling
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
State Archive in Wrocław (Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu), Akta miasta Wrocławia, 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
knightChivalry and service in arms
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
knightChivalry and service in arms
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
