A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hert family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8110 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'azur à une colombe d'arg., bq. et m. de gu., tenant en son bec deux glands effeuillés de sin. par la tige, les glands vers le chef en forme de chev. renversé; ladite colombe soutenue d'un coeur d'or. C.: un jeune homme iss., hab. d'arg., au rabat d'or, ceint et rebr. du même, chevelé aussi d'or, portant aux épaules des ailes levées d'arg., supp. de sa main dextre étendue une colombe d'arg., bq. et m. de gu., la sen. appuyée sur sa hanche. L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
HesseHesse, c. 1758
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Map of Germany showing where the Hert arms are recorded
The Hert arms were recorded in Hesse, c. 1758.
Hesse was central German country, divided among a large number of small landowners and prosperous towns. So many separate households held ground there that the region produced an unusual number of coats 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 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 Hert 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 Hesse.
Origin & History of the Hert Family in Germany
The family name Hert has deep roots in the German region of Hesse, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1758. During the eighteenth century, Hesse was a collection of territories known for its strong agricultural traditions and its role as a central hub for trade in central Germany. Families like the Herts often lived in small rural villages where their surname likely developed from a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific local landmark. Because the region was frequently affected by the political shifts of the Holy Roman Empire, many families remained in their ancestral villages for generations to maintain their land and community ties. The presence of the Hert name in these historical records suggests that the family was part of the steady, working class that formed the backbone of Hessian society during the Enlightenment era. By remaining in one area, these early ancestors helped preserve the name through centuries of regional change and social development.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a bend betw. three fleurs-de-lis ar”
DevonBovy-Tracy · Devon, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Hert arms are recorded
The Hert 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 Hert 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 Hert Family in England
The family name Hert has deep roots in the rugged landscape of Devon, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1620. During this period, the name was closely tied to the rural traditions of the West Country, where families often lived in small agricultural communities for generations. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, as surnames in medieval England were frequently derived from the physical traits or the temperament of an ancestor. In the case of Hert, it is probable that the name was linked to the red deer, which was a common and significant animal in the forests of Devon. By the early seventeenth century, the family was part of the local fabric of the region, contributing to the growth of the English countryside during a time of great social and economic change. As the family settled into their lives in Devon, they became a part of the long history of English naming customs that helped define local identity for centuries to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hard
A Germanic element meaning brave, hardy, or strong.
This name
HertA topographic or habitational name referring to someone who lived on a stag-frequented forest clearing.
also spelled
Herte
Hertt
Hart
Hearte
Related arms
Dottorisimilar arms
Mortiersimilar arms
Ossatsimilar arms
Hartvariant 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
Hessisches Staatsarchiv Marburg, Kirchenbücher der Landgrafschaft Hessen-Kassel
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
