Map of France showing where the Hersee arms are recorded
The Hersee arms were recorded in Maine, c. 1663.
Maine was quiet farming country in western France, held in small manors by families who stayed for generations. Nothing about it was grand, but steady landholding is exactly what puts a name 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Hersee arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Maine.
Origin & History of the Hersee Family in France
The family name Hersee has deep roots that trace back to early colonial life in North America. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Maine by 1663. During this period, the territory was a rugged frontier where settlers faced harsh winters and the constant challenges of building new communities. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older English surnames, likely evolving as families moved across different regions and recorded their names in local parish or town registers. By settling in Maine during the mid-seventeenth century, the early Hersees were among the pioneers who helped shape the development of the northern colonies. Their presence in these early legal documents provides a clear link to the foundational era of New England history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hericus
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning army and ruler.
This name
HerseeA locative or occupational surname derived from the Old French term for a hedgehog or prickly person.
also spelled
Erce
Hercee
Hersee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Pope, Charles Henry. The Pioneers of Maine and New Hampshire, 1623 to 1660. 1908
Maine State Archives. York Deeds, 1642–1737
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
