Map of Germany showing where the Hower arms are recorded
The Hower arms were recorded in Nuremberg, 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 Hower 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 Hower Family in Germany
The surname Hower traces its roots to the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, where it likely originated as a descriptive occupational name. In the Middle Ages, names were often derived from the work a person performed, and the root of Hower is closely linked to the German word *Hauer*, which refers to a person who cuts or hews, such as a woodcutter or a stonecutter. By the mid-18th century, the family was well-established in the historic city of Nuremberg. Records confirm that members of the Hower family were active residents of this major cultural and industrial hub by 1765. During this period, Nuremberg was a center for skilled craftsmanship and trade, suggesting that the family members living there were likely part of the city’s thriving artisan class. As the family grew and moved throughout the region, the spelling of the name evolved to suit local dialects, eventually settling into the form recognized today.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 coupé: a. d'arg. à l'aigle naiss. de sa., languée de gu., mouv. du coupé; b. de gu. à une balance d'or; aux 2 et 3 coupé d'arg. sur azur, à deux hoyaux de l'un en l'autre, passés en saut. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° un homme iss., hab. de gu., ceint d'arg., coiffé d'un chapeau, tenant de sa main dextre un hoyau, et de sa sen. une grappe de raisins; 1. d'or et de gu.; 2° une étoile d'or, entre un vol coupé, à dextre de gu. sur or, à sen. d'arg. sur azur; l. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Austriac. 1751
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Map of Austria showing where the Hower arms are recorded
The Hower arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1751.
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
1751
Granting Authority for the Hower Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Hower 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 Hower Family in Austria
The family name Hower has deep roots in the mountainous landscape of Tyrol, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1751. During this period, the region was part of the Habsburg Monarchy, and families like the Howers were often tied to the land through agriculture or specialized mountain trades. The name itself likely evolved from Middle High German terms related to farming or the cultivation of oats, reflecting the rugged lifestyle of the Alpine valleys. Life in 18th-century Tyrol was defined by strict social structures and the influence of the Catholic Church, which meticulously tracked births, marriages, and deaths in parish registers. As these families lived in isolated villages, they often developed strong local identities while navigating the complex political shifts of the Austrian Empire. By the mid-1700s, the Hower name was already becoming a permanent fixture in the regional history of the Tyrol province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Houwer
Middle High German term for a hewer or woodcutter.
This name
HowerOccupational surname for someone who worked as a woodcutter or stonecutter.
also spelled
Haure
Hower
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
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen, geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg (Nuremberg City Archives), Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg (Citizenship Books of the City of Nuremberg)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
