Map of France showing where the Hovel arms are recorded
The Hovel arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Hovel arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Normandie.
Origin & History of the Hovel Family in France
The family name Hovel finds its roots in the northern regions of France, with a significant presence established in Normandy by 1663. During the seventeenth century, the name was closely tied to the rural landscape and the agricultural traditions of the French countryside. Families bearing this name were often part of the local community structure in the parishes of Normandy, where they lived as farmers or tradespeople. Life in this region during the 1660s was shaped by the strict social hierarchies of the time and the influence of the local church, which kept detailed records of births, marriages, and deaths. As the family grew, members likely moved between neighboring villages to find work or land, helping to spread the name across the province. This period was a time of transition for many families in France, as they navigated the challenges of regional governance and the changing economic demands of the French monarchy.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. plein; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à une rose d'arg. A la bande d'or, br. sur l'écartelé et ch. de trois coquilles d'arg., posées dans le sens de la bande. C.: une rose d'arg., sommée d'une plume de paon au nat., et accostée de deux coquilles d'arg., en bande et en barre, sommées chacune de six plumes de paon au nat. L. d'or, d'azur et d'arg.”
SaxonySaxony, c. 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 Hovel arms are recorded
The Hovel arms were recorded in Saxony, c. 1765.
Saxony had mines, trade and old landed families all at once. Silver made some fortunes and land held others, and both sorts of family kept arms, which is why Saxon names appear so often 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 France when the Hovel 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 Saxony.
Origin & History of the Hovel Family in Germany
The surname Hovel finds its roots in the linguistic landscape of northern Germany, where it likely originated as a topographic name. In the Low German dialect, the term "Hovel" or "Hovell" typically referred to a small farm, a courtyard, or a specific plot of land. Families who lived on or managed these small estates often adopted the name to identify their place of residence within their local community. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Hovel family were established in the region of Saxony. During this period, Saxony was a center of agricultural and industrial growth, and families like the Hovels were often part of the rural middle class or farming communities that formed the backbone of the local economy. As these families moved or expanded their holdings, the name traveled with them, serving as a permanent link to their ancestral connection to the land.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hove
Old English or Germanic term for a court, hall, or dwelling.
This name
HovelA topographic name for someone who lived near a small farmstead or courtyard.
also spelled
Hovelle
Hovell
Huvel
Related arms
van Walsemsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Boudet, Jacques, La vie quotidienne en Normandie au XVIIe siècle, 1983
Le Roy Ladurie, Emmanuel, L'Ancien Régime: 1610-1770, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
