Map of Germany showing where the Hering arms are recorded
The Hering arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Hering 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 Hering Family in Germany
The surname Hering is a classic example of a name derived from a person’s occupation or a descriptive nickname during the Middle Ages. In the German language, the word *Hering* refers to the herring fish, which was a vital food source and a major trade commodity in Northern Europe for centuries. Families who carried this name often lived in coastal regions or worked as fishmongers, merchants, or individuals who processed and salted fish for long-term storage. By the time records place the family in the Westphalia region in 1765, the name had become well-established throughout various German-speaking territories. During this era, Westphalia was a hub of agricultural and artisanal activity, and families like the Herings were typically integrated into the local village structures as farmers or craftsmen. The name reflects a time when surnames were chosen based on the daily lives, trades, or physical characteristics of ancestors, linking the family history directly to the economic landscape of early modern Germany.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. six herrings hauriant ppr. three, two, and one”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Hering arms are recorded
The Hering arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Hering 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 England.
Origin & History of the Hering Family in England
The surname Hering has deep roots in England, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for someone who worked in the fishing industry or traded in salted fish. By the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Hering family were living in this northern hub during a time when York served as a vital center for trade and regional administration. As residents of such a prominent city, these early family members were part of a growing urban middle class that helped shape the local economy. The name itself reflects the common practice of the era where surnames were often derived from the occupations or natural resources that defined a person's daily life. Over time, the family became integrated into the social fabric of Yorkshire, leaving a lasting mark on the region through their participation in the civic and commercial activities of the period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hari
An ancient Germanic term referring to an army or a warrior host.
This name
HeringA professional name for a fisherman or a merchant who traded in herring.
also spelled
Heryng
Herring
Herynge
Related arms
Herringvariant spelling
Herring de Frankensdorfvariant spelling
Hearingvariant spelling
Forsterrecorded with Hering, same area
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
Udolph, Jürgen, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung, 2005
Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen und katholischen Kirchengemeinden in Westfalen
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
