A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hermann family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9400 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
leafHappiness and abundance
knightChivalry and service in arms
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à un chevalier, arm. d'arg., le casque panaché du même, tenant de sa main dextre une épée d'arg., garnie d'or, la sen. appuyée sur sa hanche: aux 2 et 3 d'azur à un croiss. figuré tourné d'arg., adextré de trois étoiles du même, rangées en pal. Sur le tout d'arg. à une pointe de gu., terminée en feuille de tilleul. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° trois pl. d'aut., de gu., d'arg. et d'azur; 1. d'arg. et de gu.; 2° le chevalier du 1, iss.; l. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1612
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Map of Germany showing where the Hermann arms are recorded
The Hermann arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1612.
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.
Emperor Rudolf II
Sovereign of the period
Emperor Rudolf II
1576–1612
Reigning in Germany when the Hermann 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 Hermann Family in Germany
The name Hermann has deep roots in the German language, originating from the ancient Germanic words for army and man. This suggests that early ancestors were likely associated with military leadership or served as prominent warriors in their communities. By the time records place the family in Bavaria in 1612, the name had already transitioned from a descriptive title into a formal hereditary surname. During this period, the region of Bavaria was a center of significant social and religious change, and families like the Hermanns were often involved in the local agricultural or craft guilds that defined village life. As the name spread across German-speaking lands, it became a symbol of strength and reliability, reflecting the cultural values of the time. The family’s presence in seventeenth-century Bavaria highlights their role as part of the established social fabric that helped shape the history of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 un griffon au nat., tenant de ses pattes un sceptre d'or et soutenu d'une terrasse de sin. Cq. cour. C.: le griffon, iss.”
Austriac. 1653
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Map of Austria showing where the Hermann arms are recorded
The Hermann arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1653.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1653
Granting Authority for the Hermann Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
1637–1657
Reigning in Germany when the Hermann arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Hermann Family in Austria
The name Hermann is rooted in the ancient Germanic language, combining the words for army and man to signify a warrior or a soldier. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the mountainous region of Tyrol, which was then a central part of the Austrian Habsburg lands. During this era, families in Tyrol were often deeply connected to the local landscape, working as farmers, craftsmen, or regional administrators in the alpine valleys. Because 1653 was a time of recovery following the long devastation of the Thirty Years' War, the presence of the Hermann family in official records suggests they were part of the effort to rebuild local communities and maintain social order. As they settled into the rugged terrain of the Austrian Alps, the family became part of a long tradition of mountain dwellers who helped shape the cultural and economic life of the region through their work and local leadership.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
goatOne who wins by diplomacy rather than force
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“D'arg. à un bouc ramp. de sa., tenant entre ses dents un trèfle de sin. et soutenu d'une terrasse du même. Cq. cour. C.: le bouc, iss. L. d'arg. et de sa.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Hermann arms are recorded
The Hermann arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Hermann Family in Switzerland
The name Hermann carries a long history in the German-speaking regions of Europe, evolving from an ancient Germanic given name that means "army man" or "warrior." By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Basel, Switzerland. During this period, Basel served as a major hub for trade and intellectual exchange, and families like the Hermanns often integrated into the local merchant or professional classes. Because Basel was a center for printing and banking, those bearing the name were frequently involved in the city's growing administrative and economic life. As the family settled into the Swiss social structure, they became part of the local fabric that defined Basel’s unique identity as a bridge between Swiss, French, and German cultures. Their presence in 1745 reflects a time when many families were solidifying their roots in the city, contributing to the development of the region’s distinct urban society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hariman
A compound of army and man.
This name
HermannA warrior or soldier who serves in the military.
also spelled
Herrmann
Herman
Related arms
Baes de Ruddervoorde dit van den Baersesimilar arms
Bindersimilar arms
Karacsaysimilar arms
Hermanvariant 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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903