Map of France showing where the Hirschhorn arms are recorded
The Hirschhorn arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Hirschhorn arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Hirschhorn Family in France
The Hirschhorn family name carries a history that reflects the movement of people across European borders during the seventeenth century. While the name originates from Germanic roots meaning deer horn, its presence in the French region of Bretagne by 1663 suggests that the family had established itself in the western provinces during a period of significant social and religious transition. During this era, families often migrated to find new economic opportunities or to escape regional conflicts, and the appearance of the name in local French records indicates a successful integration into the community. These early members likely worked in trade or agriculture, adapting their traditional naming customs to fit the linguistic landscape of their new home. By settling in Bretagne, the family became part of the diverse cultural fabric of the region, leaving behind a trail of documents that confirm their long-standing roots in French history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti d'arg. et de sa.; à deux demi-ramures de cerf de l'un à l'autre. C.: les demi-ramures.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Hirschhorn arms are recorded
The Hirschhorn 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 France when the Hirschhorn 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 Hirschhorn Family in Germany
The surname Hirschhorn originates from the German language, where it literally translates to "stag horn" or "deer antler." During the eighteenth century, names like this were often adopted by families living in the southern regions of Germany, specifically within the state of Bavaria. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Hirschhorn family were established in this area, likely living in small towns or rural communities where such descriptive names were common. At that time, many families in the German-speaking lands were beginning to solidify their surnames for tax and census purposes. Because the name refers to a physical object found in the local forests, it suggests that the family’s early ancestors may have lived in close proximity to the wooded landscapes of the Bavarian countryside. These early generations were part of a broader social shift as families transitioned from using patronymic naming systems to permanent, hereditary surnames that identified their lineage for future generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hirsch and Horn
Germanic words for deer and horn or antler.
This name
HirschhornAn occupational or topographic name referring to someone living near a deer antler sign.
also spelled
Hirschhorner
Hirshhorn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives Départementales du Finistère, Série E: Familles et seigneuries
Le Roy, Emmanuel, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1980
Meyer, Jean, La noblesse bretonne au XVIIIe siècle, 1966
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
