A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hern family of Germany.
Reg. 1248 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
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
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 la bande de gu.; et trois étoiles d'or, dont deux rangées en fasce et br. sur la bande, à dextre et à sen., et la troisième étoile posée au-dessous de la deuxième et br.”
GermanyPrusse Ab, c. 1768
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Map of Germany showing where the Hern arms are recorded
The Hern arms were recorded in Prusse Ab, c. 1768.
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.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Hern 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 Hern Family in Germany
The family name Hern has deep roots in the historical region of Bavaria, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1768. During this period, Bavaria was a collection of territories undergoing significant social and agricultural changes under the rule of the Wittelsbach dynasty. Families like the Herns were typically tied to the land or specific trades in rural villages, as most people at the time lived in small communities focused on farming or local craftsmanship. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects, reflecting the way people identified one another based on their occupation, physical traits, or the specific landscape where they lived. As the family grew, they became part of the steady rhythm of Bavarian life, navigating the economic shifts and religious traditions that defined the eighteenth century in Southern Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hari
An ancient Germanic term referring to a warrior or army.
This name
HernA topographic name for someone who lived near a military road or army path.
also spelled
Herne
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
