Map of Germany showing where the Hertz arms are recorded
The Hertz arms were recorded in Lubeck, c. 1765.
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 Hertz 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 Hertz Family in Germany
The surname Hertz is a patronymic name that originates from the medieval German given name Hartwig or the Middle High German word for heart. It was common for families to adopt these names as a way to identify their lineage or personal traits during the time when hereditary surnames were becoming standard across Europe. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the Hanseatic city of Lubeck. As residents of this major trading hub, early family members likely participated in the vibrant merchant culture that defined the region. Living in Lubeck in 1765 placed the family at the center of northern European commerce, where they would have navigated the complex social and economic shifts of the Enlightenment era. This period marked a time of significant growth for urban families who contributed to the professional and civic life of their city.
Hertz Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Herz
Middle High German word meaning heart.
This name
HertzA topographic or habitational name often used as a nickname for a kind-hearted person.
also spelled
Herz
Hertze
Related arms
Hersvariant spelling
Herzvariant 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
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen, 1971
Archiv der Hansestadt Lübeck, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Lübeck
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
