Map of Germany showing where the Hurtz arms are recorded
The Hurtz arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1615.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor
1612–1619
Reigning in Germany when the Hurtz 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 Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Hurtz Family in Germany
The family name Hurtz has deep roots in the Westphalia region of Germany, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1615. During this period, Westphalia was a landscape defined by small rural communities and the aftermath of the Thirty Years' War, which shaped the daily lives of families like the Hurtz clan. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific location, as was common practice for surnames developing in Germanic regions during the seventeenth century. Families in this area were typically tied to the land through farming or local trades, and they often remained in the same villages for generations. By staying in Westphalia, the early Hurtz family navigated a time of significant social and religious change, helping to establish the name as a permanent part of the local history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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)
“D'arg. à un berger, chevelé de sa., hab. d'un surtout d'azur, d'une culotte de gu., d'une ceinture d'herm., tenant une houlette au nat., les guêtres et les souliers de sa.; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'or.”
AlsaceAlsace, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Hurtz arms are recorded
The Hurtz arms were recorded in Alsace, c. 1663.
Alsace lay between France and the German lands and belonged to both at different times. Its families held small estates and served whichever side ruled, and men who served in arms carried arms of their own.
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 Germany when the Hurtz 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 Alsace.
Origin & History of the Hurtz Family in France
The family name Hurtz has deep roots in the Alsace region of France, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Alsace was a crossroads of culture and language, situated between the French and German spheres of influence. Families in this area often navigated complex political shifts as the region transitioned between different rulers. The name itself likely originated from a nickname or a descriptive term used in the local dialect, which was common for families living in small, tight-knit rural communities. By settling in this fertile territory, the early Hurtz family members likely engaged in agriculture or local trades that supported the growing villages of the Rhine Valley. Over time, these individuals became part of the distinct cultural fabric of Alsace, blending regional traditions with the broader history of the French borderlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hurt
A Middle High German term referring to a push or shove.
This name
HurtzA nickname for a person who was physically aggressive or forceful in nature.
also spelled
Hurte
Hurtt
Hurtz
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
Udolph, Jürgen, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20.000 Nachnamen, 2005
Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen und katholischen Gemeinden in Westfalen
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
