Map of Germany showing where the Hinke arms are recorded
The Hinke arms were recorded in Oldenbourg, 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 Hinke 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 Hinke Family in Germany
The family name Hinke originates from the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, where it likely began as a shortened or affectionate version of names starting with "Heinrich." By the mid-18th century, the family was well-established in the region of Oldenburg. In 1765, records confirm that members of the Hinke family were living and working within this area, which was then a significant territory known for its agricultural traditions and trade. During this period, families often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where surnames were passed down through generations to identify lineage and local roots. The presence of the Hinke name in Oldenburg suggests that the family was part of the local social fabric, likely participating in the regional economy and community life that defined the landscape of northwestern Germany during the 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heinrich
Derived from Germanic elements meaning home ruler or enclosure ruler.
This name
HinkeA diminutive form of the name Henry, signifying a ruler of the home.
also spelled
Hincken
Hinck
Hyncke
Hinke
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv (Oldenburg), Kirchenbuch der evangelisch-lutherischen Kirchengemeinde Oldenburg
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
