A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hofmeyer family of Germany.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De gu. à une pointe”
The Hofmeyer 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.
Reigning in Germany when the Hofmeyer arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Hofmeyer originates from the German language and serves as a descriptive occupational name. It is derived from the words "Hof," meaning a farm or a courtyard, and "Meyer," which historically referred to a steward, a bailiff, or a tenant farmer who managed land for a landlord. By combining these terms, the name identifies an individual who held a position of responsibility over a farmstead or an estate. Records confirm that members of the Hofmeyer family were established in the city of Augsburg by 1765. During this period, Augsburg was a major center for commerce and craftsmanship, and families with this name were likely integrated into the local agricultural or administrative systems that supported the city’s growth. The name reflects a long history of connection to land management and rural organization within the German-speaking regions of Europe.
A courtyard, farmstead, or enclosed piece of land.
