A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hilts family of Germany.
Reg. 0134 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Tranché d'azur sur or; à un griffon de l'un en l'autre, l'aile de devant ch. de deux étoiles d'or, l'une sur l'autre; l'autre ch. d'une étoile d'azur. Cq. cour. C.: le griffon, iss.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1806
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Map of Germany showing where the Hilts arms are recorded
The Hilts arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1806.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in 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.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Hilts arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Hilts Family in Germany
The family name Hilts is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Bavaria, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1806. The name likely originated as a descriptive term or a shortened version of a Germanic given name, reflecting the common naming customs of the region during that era. In the early nineteenth century, Bavaria was undergoing significant political changes as it transitioned into a kingdom under the influence of the Napoleonic Wars. Families like the Hilts lived through this period of transformation, which saw the modernization of civil records and the consolidation of local identities. As members of a society deeply connected to the land and local trade, the early Hilts family was part of the foundational population that helped shape the cultural and social fabric of southern Germany during this pivotal time in European history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hiltja
An ancient Germanic word meaning battle or strife.
This name
HiltsA habitational name derived from a place associated with battle or defensive fortifications.
also spelled
Hiltz
Hilze
Hilzer
Hilts
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, General-Landes-Direktion, Akten der Regierung des Isarkreises
Duden, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20.000 Nachnamen, 2005
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen, 2006
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
