A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hoepfner family of Germany.
Reg. 5527 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lambGentleness, patience and faith
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à un agneau d'arg., pass. devant une crosse épiscopale cont. d'or, posée en pal, mouv. de la p.; l'écu bordé d'or. C.: un jeune homme iss., hab. de gu., rebr. d'arg., au rabat du même, bout. d'or, tenant de sa main dextre étendue une grappe de raisins au nat., sans feuilles. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Hoepfner arms are recorded
The Hoepfner arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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 Hoepfner 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 Hoepfner Family in Germany
The surname Hoepfner originates from the German word *Höpfer*, which historically served as an occupational name for a hop grower or a brewer. During the Middle Ages, the cultivation of hops became essential to the regional economy as beer production transitioned from a domestic chore to a professional trade. By 1765, records confirm that members of the Hoepfner family were established in the city of Nuremberg. At that time, Nuremberg was a bustling center of commerce and craftsmanship within the Holy Roman Empire. Families like the Hoepfners often lived in tight-knit urban communities where they contributed to the city's reputation for high-quality goods and skilled labor. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the city, likely participating in the local guilds that regulated trade and maintained the standards of their profession.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hopfen
The German word for the plant known as hops.
This name
HoepfnerAn occupational surname for a person who grew, harvested, or traded hops for brewing.
also spelled
Hopfener
Hepfner
Hoepfner
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lambGentleness, patience and faith
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
lambGentleness, patience and faith
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
