A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hess family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 8119 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
knightChivalry and service in arms
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à une grue au nat. avec sa vigilance d'arg., sur un tertre de sin.; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à un palmier de sin., sur un tertre du même, la cime du palmier ch. d'une pierre d'or. Sur le tout coupé d'or sur azur, à un guerrier romain, br. sur le coupé, tenant de sa main dextre une hallebarde. Brl. d'azur et d'or. C.: le guerrier, iss., entre deux prob. d'or. L.: d'azur, d'or et de gu.”
PomeraniaPomerania, c. 1741
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Map of Germany showing where the Hess arms are recorded
The Hess arms were recorded in Pomerania, c. 1741.
Pomerania was flat farming country on the Baltic coast, held in large estates by a small number of families. They kept their land for generations, and generations of landholding is what fills 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 Germany in this period.
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 Pomerania.
Origin & History of the Hess Family in Germany
The surname Hess originates from the historical German region of Hesse, where it was traditionally used as a descriptive name for someone who hailed from that area. Over many centuries, families carrying this name migrated from their ancestral lands toward the northeast, eventually establishing a strong presence in the province of Pomerania by the mid-18th century. In 1741, records confirm that members of the Hess family were well-integrated into the social and agricultural fabric of this Baltic region. During this era, the name often identified individuals who worked as skilled craftsmen or farmers in the rural landscapes of northern Germany. As these families settled into their new homes, they maintained the name as a link to their geographic roots while adapting to the unique cultural traditions of the Pomeranian frontier.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 la bande d'arg., ch. d'un porc courant de gu. C.: un demi-vol d'azur, ch. d'une bande d'arg.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Hess arms are recorded
The Hess arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Hess Family in Switzerland
The surname Hess has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, where it functioned as a descriptive name for individuals living in the area. While the name appears in various Swiss cantons, the family established a significant presence in the city of Bern by the mid-18th century. Historical records confirm that members of the Hess family were active citizens in Bern by 1745, participating in the social and economic life of the city during a period of stability and growth. These early families were often integrated into the local guild systems, which allowed them to contribute to the trade and political structures of the Swiss Confederation. Over time, the family name became synonymous with the regional identity of the Bernese highlands and the surrounding urban centers, reflecting the broader migration patterns of families moving toward established administrative hubs.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à la fasce d'arg., acc. en chef de trois bes. d'or, 2 et 1. Cq. cour. C.: un buste de vieillard, hab. de gu., au rabat d'arg., le justaucorps orné sur le devant de trois boules d'or en guise de boutons. L.: à dextre d'or et de gu., à sen. d'arg. et de gu. [Les gentilshommes du nom, en Bav., portent les mêmes armes, sauf que les bes. de l'écu sont mal-ordonnés.] L. d'or et de gu.”
Austriac. 1416
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Map of Austria showing where the Hess arms are recorded
The Hess arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1416.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1416
Granting Authority for the Hess Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Hess Family in Austria
The family name Hess has deep roots in the mountainous region of Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were established as early as 1416. During this period, the name was closely tied to the rugged landscape and the social structure of the Alpine valleys. Many families with this name were involved in the local trade and mining industries that defined the economy of medieval Austria. As the family grew, they integrated into the administrative life of the region, often serving as local officials or skilled craftsmen. The name itself is thought to be a shortened form of names like Hesse or Hesso, which were common in Germanic regions during the Middle Ages. By settling in the crossroads of the Alps, the early Hess family members became part of a resilient community that navigated the complex political shifts of the Holy Roman Empire. Their history reflects the broader movement of people across Central Europe who sought stability and opportunity in the high mountain passes.
Hess Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hasso
A Germanic personal name derived from the word for a hood.
This name
HessA habitational name for someone from the region of Hesse in Germany.
also spelled
Hesse
Related arms
Velingiussimilar arms
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 Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Landesarchiv Greifswald, Kirchenbücher der Provinz Pommern, 1741
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
knightChivalry and service in arms
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
knightChivalry and service in arms
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
