Background
He inherited the title upon the death of his father, Sibet Attena von Esens, in 1473.
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Hero Esens
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As with most names of this period, Hero Oomkens von Esens is referred to by a plethora of variations in contemporary texts (eg Hero, Here, Heer, Her. Omken, Omcken, Oemkens, Omkens). Moreover, given that he had held various lordships, he is also referred to, in addition to von or zu Esens, as von Wittmund, von Harlingerland, von Stedesdorf, et cetera
The Oomkens family was established in East Frisia (now part of Niedersachsen in Germany) and in the Frisian Oldambt, in the Groninger Ommelanden (now part of Groningen in the Netherlands).
The family prided itself on its direct descent from Radbod, King of the Frisians. Hero Oomkens von Esens" marriage to Countess Armgard of Oldenburg in 1489 helped to cement the alliance of the old Frisian aristocracy with the Counts of Oldenburg in their struggle against the rise of the Cirksena family.
Hero Oomkens von Esens had five sons, Balthasar, Melchior, Caspar, Johann and Sibo. They had two daughters.
Balthasar Oomkens von Esens succeeded his father on the latter"s death in 1522.
Hero Oomkens von Esens" heraldic crest consisted of two crossed tournament lances (sometimes incorrectly referred to as whips or scourges), which were incorporated into the arms of the city of Wittmund (district), and are also featured in the arms of East Frisia.
