Map of Netherlands showing where the Hofman arms are recorded
The Hofman arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry arms.
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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Hofman Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Hofman arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Hofman Family in Netherlands
The surname Hofman is a classic occupational name that traces its roots back to the Middle Ages in the Low Countries. It is derived from the Dutch word hof, which refers to a farm, a courtyard, or a manor. Historically, a Hofman was a person who managed a farm or served as a steward for a large estate. By the time the family was firmly established in the province of Friesland in 1815, the name had become a common way to identify individuals based on their role in the agricultural community. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant changes in how people recorded their family names due to the introduction of the civil registry. As families settled into specific regions like Friesland, the name Hofman became a permanent identifier that linked generations to their ancestral connection to the land and the management of rural properties.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 d'or et d'arg.; à une aigle de sa., br. sur le parti. Cq. cour. C.: un vol à l'antique, d'arg. et de sa. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de sa., à sen. d'or et de sa.”
Germanyc. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Hofman arms are recorded
The Hofman arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Netherlands when the Hofman 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 Hofman Family in Germany
The surname Hofman is a classic occupational name that emerged in the German-speaking regions during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Middle High German word "hof," which refers to a farm, a manor, or a royal court. Originally, the name was used to identify a person who managed a farmstead or served as a steward for a local landowner. By the time members of the family were documented in Bavaria in 1765, the name had become a well-established identifier for families deeply rooted in rural agricultural life. As these individuals lived and worked on the land, their surname served as a direct link to their social role within the village hierarchy. Over several generations, the name transitioned from a simple job description into a permanent family legacy that defined their place in the Bavarian community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
hof
An enclosed courtyard, farmstead, or manor house.
This name
HofmanA person who manages or lives on a farmstead or manor.
also spelled
Hoffman
Related arms
Dietelmaiersimilar arms
Salvart de Falckenbergsimilar arms
Schardensimilar arms
Hoffmanvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk. 2003
Van der Schaar, Jo. Woordenboek van voornamen. 2010
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registry) records for Friesland, 1811-1950
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
