A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hochberger family of France.
Reg. 2102 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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: au 1 d'azur à trois abeilles mal-ordonnées au nat.; au 2 d'or à un coq hardi de sa., crêté et barbé de gu., posé sur une colline de sin. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° une Justice, hab. de gu., les yeux bandés d'arg., ceinte du même, tenant de sa main dextre une épée d'arg. et de sa sen. une balance d'or; l. d'arg. et d'azur; 2° le coq du 2, devant une lyre d'or; l. d'or et de sa.”
Francec. 1861
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Map of France showing where the Hochberger arms are recorded
The Hochberger arms were recorded in France, c. 1861.
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.
Napoleon III
Sovereign of the period
Napoleon III
1852–1870
Reigning in France when the Hochberger 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 Hochberger Family in France
The surname Hochberger is of Germanic origin and typically functions as a topographic name. It is derived from the German words "hoch," meaning high, and "berg," meaning mountain or hill. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family likely lived near a prominent high hill or a mountain settlement. While the name is deeply rooted in German-speaking regions, the presence of the family in the Bretagne region of France by 1861 indicates a significant migration pattern during the 19th century. Families often moved across European borders during this era to seek new economic opportunities or to escape regional instability. By settling in Bretagne, the Hochberger family adapted to a new cultural environment while maintaining a name that served as a linguistic link to their ancestral geography.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hoch Berg
High mountain or elevated terrain.
This name
HochbergerRefers to someone who lived on or near a high mountain or hill.
also spelled
Hockberger
Hochburger
Hochbergher
Hokberger
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
Archives départementales du Morbihan, État civil, registres de naissances, mariages et décès, 1861
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.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
