A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hertzel family of France.
Reg. 3409 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
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 au chev. d'arg., acc. de neuf fleurs-de-lis d'or, trois à dextre, 2 et 1, et trois à sen., 2 et 1, en chef; les trois autres mal-ordonnées en p. C.: un bonnet de gu., retr. d'herm., sommé de sept plumes de sa. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Francec. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the Hertzel arms are recorded
The Hertzel arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Hertzel 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 France.
Origin & History of the Hertzel Family in France
The family name Hertzel carries a rich history that traces back to the vibrant region of Bretagne in western France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this coastal territory, which was known for its distinct cultural identity and maritime traditions. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots common to the Germanic and Frankish influences that moved through Europe during the Middle Ages. As the family settled in Bretagne, they became part of the local social fabric, likely working in trades or agriculture that defined the regional economy of the seventeenth century. Over time, the name persisted as a marker of their lineage, reflecting a long history of migration and settlement in one of France’s most storied provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hart
A male deer or stag often symbolizing strength and agility.
This name
HertzelA diminutive form referring to a little stag or a brave person.
also spelled
Hercel
Hersell
Hertzel
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Archives de la juridiction seigneuriale)
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses des Côtes-d'Armor, 1992
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
