A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hoefner family of Germany.
Reg. 7017 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé de gu. sur arg.; à une cigogne d'arg., le bec élevé, posée sur le coupeau du milieu d'un tertre de trois coupeaux de sin., chacun des deux autres coupeaux sommé d'une flamme de gu. C.: une cigogne d'arg., le bec élevé, couchée dans son nid au nat.; entre deux prob., coupées alt. d'arg. et de gu.”
GermanyAugsbourg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Hoefner arms are recorded
The Hoefner arms were recorded in Augsbourg, 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 Hoefner 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 Hoefner Family in Germany
The surname Hoefner is rooted in the German language and historically describes a person who worked as a farmer or a manager of a small agricultural holding. The name comes from the Middle High German word "hove," which refers to a farm or a courtyard. During the eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the city of Augsburg. Records confirm that members of the Hoefner family were living and working in this region by 1765. At that time, Augsburg was a major center for trade and craftsmanship in the Holy Roman Empire. Families with this name were likely integrated into the local economy as skilled laborers or landowners who contributed to the city's growth. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of the family’s identity as they moved through the changing social landscape of southern Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hof
A farmstead, courtyard, or enclosed piece of land.
This name
HoefnerAn occupational surname for someone who worked on or managed a farm or estate.
also spelled
Hoefner
Hofener
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
Stadtarchiv Augsburg, Bürgeraufnahmen der Stadt Augsburg, 1765
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
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
