A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hiltz family of Germany.
Reg. 7358 · 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 Hiltz arms are recorded
The Hiltz 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 Hiltz 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 Hiltz Family in Germany
The Hiltz family name finds its historical roots in the southern regions of Germany, particularly within the borders of Bavaria. By the early nineteenth century, the name was well established in this area, appearing in local records around 1806. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word hiltja, which translates to battle or strife. This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have been associated with military service or were known for their strong character in their local communities. As the family lived through the significant political changes of the Napoleonic era in Bavaria, they remained tied to the land and the agricultural traditions of the region. Over time, the family name spread from these Bavarian origins as individuals moved to find new opportunities, yet the name remains a clear link to the deep cultural history of southern Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hilt
Old High German word for battle or combat.
This name
HiltzA diminutive or patronymic form referring to a warrior or someone skilled in battle.
also spelled
Hiltz
Hilze
Hilzer
Hilts
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, 1972
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, General-Landes-Direktion, Akten des bayerischen Innenministeriums, 1806
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
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
