A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hoerl family of Germany.
Reg. 9676 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à la bande d'arg., acc. de deux étoiles du même et ch. de trois cors-de-chasse d'or, liés de gu. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° un lion iss. d'arg., tenant un cor-de-chasse de l'écu; 2° une étoile d'arg., entre un vol d'azur. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1769
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Map of Germany showing where the Hoerl arms are recorded
The Hoerl arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1769.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
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.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Hoerl 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 Hoerl Family in Germany
The family name Hoerl traces its roots to the mountainous regions of Bavaria, where the name first appeared in official records during the mid-eighteenth century. Linguists believe the name originated as a descriptive term for people living near a specific landscape feature, likely a small hill or a rounded mound, as the root word relates to the German term for a height or an elevation. By 1769, families bearing this name were well-established within the local Bavarian social structure, often working as skilled farmers or craftsmen who contributed to the rural economy of the region. Because surnames were often passed down through generations in these tight-knit communities, the Hoerl name became a permanent marker of the family’s identity and their long-standing connection to the Bavarian countryside. Over time, these early ancestors helped shape the cultural traditions of their villages, leaving behind a legacy that remains tied to their ancestral home in southern Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hör
A Middle High German term referring to a hill or elevation.
This name
HoerlA topographic name for someone who lived on or near a hill.
also spelled
Hoerle
Hoerll
Hoerel
Horl
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
