Map of France showing where the Hirschi arms are recorded
The Hirschi 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 Hirschi 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 Hirschi Family in France
The history of the Hirschi name in France is deeply tied to the movement of families across the border regions during the seventeenth century. While the name is often associated with Germanic roots, records confirm that members of the Hirschi family were established in the Bretagne region by 1663. During this period, France was a place of significant social and religious transition, which often prompted families to settle in new provinces to seek stability or trade opportunities. Settling in Bretagne suggests that these early ancestors were likely involved in the local agricultural or maritime economy that defined the region at the time. By embedding themselves into the local community, the Hirschi family became part of the diverse social fabric of western France. Their presence in the official records of 1663 serves as a clear marker of their integration into the French landscape long before the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Palé de quatre pièces: d'arg., de gu., d'or et de sa.; à un cerf ramp. au nat., br. sur le palé, soutenu d'un tertre de sin. et tenant entre ses dents une navette au nat. C.: le cerf iss. (moins la navette). L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1686
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Map of Germany showing where the Hirschi arms are recorded
The Hirschi arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1686.
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.
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
1658–1705
Reigning in France when the Hirschi 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 Hirschi Family in Germany
The Hirschi family name finds its roots in the southern regions of Germany, particularly within the historical landscape of Bavaria. By the late 17th century, the name was firmly established in this area, appearing in official records as early as 1686. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German word "hirz," which translates to stag or hart. In the social context of the 1600s, names like Hirschi often functioned as descriptive identifiers for individuals who lived near land associated with these animals or who worked as hunters and foresters. As the family grew, they became part of the local agricultural and village communities that defined rural Bavarian life during the post-Thirty Years' War era. This period required families to be resilient and adaptable, as they navigated the complex feudal systems and shifting borders of the German states. Through these early generations, the Hirschi name became a permanent fixture in the local parish registers, marking their transition from individual laborers to established members of the regional population.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hirsch
Germanic word for a male deer or stag.
This name
HirschiA topographic or habitational name for someone living near a place frequented by deer.
also spelled
Hirscher
Hirsche
Hyrsch
Hirsh
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)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morice, Pierre-Hyacinthe, Mémoires pour servir de preuves à l'histoire ecclésiastique et civile de Bretagne, 1742
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
