Map of Germany showing where the Hirschauer arms are recorded
The Hirschauer arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Hirschauer 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Hirschauer Family in Germany
The surname Hirschauer originates from the historical region of Bavaria in southern Germany. The name is topographic, meaning it was likely adopted by families who lived near a specific landmark or geographic feature. In the German language, the prefix Hirsch refers to a stag or deer, while the suffix auer typically denotes a person who dwells in a meadow or a river valley. By the year 1765, records confirm that members of the Hirschauer family were well-established within the Bavarian landscape. During this era, families often lived in small rural communities where their surname served as a practical way to identify their ancestral home or their connection to the local land. These early generations were likely involved in agriculture or forestry, as the name reflects a deep connection to the natural environment of the Bavarian forests and river basins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hirsch and Au
Deer and a meadow or riverbank near water.
This name
HirschauerRefers to a person living near a meadow frequented by deer.
also spelled
Hirschauer
Hirschauw
Hirshau
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
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kurbayern Hofkammer, Buchführung und Rechnungslegung, 1765
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen, 1954
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
