A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hummel family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6313 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à la bande d'or, ch. de trois abeilles du champ, les têtes en bas, posées dans le sens de la bande. C.: un vol, aux armes de l'écu. L. d'arg. et d'or.”
GermanyWasserburg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Hummel arms are recorded
The Hummel arms were recorded in Wasserburg, 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 Germany when the Hummel 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 Hummel Family in Germany
The surname Hummel originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Middle High German word for a bumblebee or a restless, energetic person. During the Middle Ages, such names were often given to individuals who were known for their busy nature or quick movements. By the time the family established a documented presence in Bavaria in 1765, the name had become a well-settled patronymic passed down through generations of rural and artisan communities. In the context of eighteenth-century Bavaria, families carrying this name were typically integrated into the local agricultural or trade-based economy, living within the structured social hierarchies of the Holy Roman Empire. These early ancestors were part of a long tradition of village life, where the name served as a marker of identity within the parish records and local administrative registers that tracked the movement and growth of the population.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
Colours
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)
“D'azur à une abeille d'or en pal, les ailes d'arg., les pattes de sa. C.: un demi-vol, aux armes de l'écu. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Hummel arms are recorded
The Hummel arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Hummel Family in Switzerland
The surname Hummel carries a rich history rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe, with a significant presence established in the city of Basel by the mid-eighteenth century. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German word for a bumblebee, which was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person who was particularly energetic or constantly on the move. By the time records confirm the family’s residence in Basel in 1745, the name had already been common in various Swiss and German territories for generations. Families bearing this name were often integrated into the local urban fabric as skilled craftsmen or tradespeople. Their movement into Swiss cities like Basel reflects the broader patterns of migration and economic growth that defined the region during the Enlightenment era. Over time, the Hummel family became a stable part of the local community, contributing to the social and professional life of the city while maintaining their distinct ancestral identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hummel
Derived from the Middle High German word for a bumblebee.
This name
HummelA nickname for a busy, active person or someone with a restless nature.
also spelled
Humell
Hummell
Hummelz
Humel
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 Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kurbayern Hofkammer: Steuer- und Katasterwesen, 1765
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
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
