A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hofmann family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 0331 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De sa. à un pavot d'arg., acc. en chef de deux étoiles d'or. C.: un homme iss., hab. d'arg., tenant le pavot. L.: d'arg. et de sa.”
GermanyFrancfort s, c. 1765
Where the Hofmann Arms Were Recorded
Francfort s
Map of Germany showing where the Hofmann arms are recorded
The Hofmann arms were recorded in Francfort s, 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 Hofmann 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 Hofmann Family in Germany
The surname Hofmann is a classic example of a German occupational name that emerged during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Middle High German word *hofman*, which referred to a person who managed a farm or served as a steward on a large estate. As surnames became necessary for tax and census purposes, families who worked on these manors adopted the title to distinguish themselves within their local communities. By the time members of the family were documented in Frankfurt in 1765, the name was already well-established across German-speaking lands. During this era, Frankfurt served as a major center for trade and commerce, attracting skilled workers and administrators who often carried the Hofmann name. These individuals were typically integrated into the urban middle class, contributing to the city's growth as they transitioned from rural estate management to roles in city administration and local business.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 de sa. au lion léopardé d'or; au 2 fascé d'arg. et de gu.”
Austriac. 1603
Where the Hofmann Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Hofmann arms are recorded
The Hofmann arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1603.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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
Tyrol
First recorded
1603
Granting Authority for the Hofmann Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Emperor Rudolf II
Sovereign of the period
Emperor Rudolf II
1576–1612
Reigning in Germany when the Hofmann arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Hofmann Family in Austria
The surname Hofmann originated as a descriptive occupational title used throughout the German-speaking regions of Central Europe. In the medieval period, the term referred to a person who managed a farm or held a specific position of responsibility on a large estate. By the time the name appeared in the historical records of Tyrol in 1603, it had transitioned from a simple job description into a hereditary family name. Families bearing this name in the Austrian Alps were often deeply connected to the local agricultural economy and the social hierarchy of their mountain villages. Because Tyrol served as a vital crossroads for trade and migration between Italy and the north, the Hofmann family likely benefited from the region's unique blend of cultural influences. Over several generations, these early ancestors established deep roots in the Tyrolean landscape, eventually becoming a recognized part of the local community structure.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
branchPeace, and new growth
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à deux branches d'or feuillées chacune de trois pièces, passées en double saut. C.: un buste d'homme, hab. de gu., coiffé d'un bonnet albanais du même, retr. d'or.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Hofmann Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Hofmann arms are recorded
The Hofmann arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Hofmann Family in Switzerland
The surname Hofmann is a classic occupational name that originated from the German word *Hof*, meaning a farm or a courtyard. In the context of medieval society, a *Hofmann* was typically a steward or a manager who oversaw the operations of a large estate or a farm owned by a nobleman or a church. By the time the family was firmly established in Bern by 1745, the name had evolved from a specific job title into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. In the Swiss cantons, families with this name were often integrated into the local agricultural and civic structures of the region. As Bern grew into a powerful city-state, individuals bearing the name Hofmann became part of the local social fabric, often working as skilled tradespeople or landholders. Their presence in 18th-century Bern reflects a period where the family had successfully transitioned from being estate managers to becoming established citizens within the Swiss Confederation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hof
An enclosed courtyard, farmstead, or manor house.
This name
HofmannA steward, tenant farmer, or manager of a manor or estate.
also spelled
Hoffmann
Hofman
Hoffman
Related arms
Blumfeldsimilar arms
Bretschneidersimilar arms
Campesimilar arms
Hoffman (de) - Danvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Institut für Stadtgeschichte Frankfurt am Main, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Frankfurt am Main
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roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
branchPeace, and new growth
