A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hesel family of Germany.
Reg. 5237 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Tranché d'or sur sa., à deux étoiles de l'un à l'autre C.: un vol à l'antique tranché de sa. sur or, à deux étoiles de l'un à l'autre.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
Where the Hesel Arms Were Recorded
Nuremberg
Map of Germany showing where the Hesel arms are recorded
The Hesel arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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 Hesel 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 Hesel Family in Germany
The family name Hesel has deep roots in the historical landscape of southern Germany, with documented evidence placing the family in the imperial city of Nuremberg by 1765. During the eighteenth century, Nuremberg was a bustling center of trade, craftsmanship, and intellectual growth. Families living in the city at this time were often involved in the skilled guilds that defined the local economy, ranging from metalworking to textile production. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older Germanic terms related to the hazel tree, which was a common way to identify people based on the natural landmarks near their homes or their ancestral lands. As the family established their life in Nuremberg, they became part of a vibrant urban community that navigated the complex social and political changes of the Holy Roman Empire. This period marked a time of transition for many families as they balanced traditional trades with the rising influence of Enlightenment-era commerce.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hasso
A Germanic name element derived from the word for command or order.
This name
HeselA diminutive form indicating a descendant of someone named Hasso or a person from Hesse.
also spelled
Hessel
Hezel
Related arms
Hehelsimilar arms
Hesselvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg (1765)
Staatsarchiv Nürnberg, Zunftakten und Handwerksverzeichnisse (1760–1770)
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt (1967)
Endres, Rudolf, Nürnberg: Die Stadt im Mittelalter und in der frühen Neuzeit (1993)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
