He inherited the title upon the death of his father, Sibet Attena von Esens, in 1473.
As with most names of this period, Hero Oomkens von Esens is referred to by a plethora of variations in contemporary texts (e.g.
Hero Oomkens von Esens' marriage to Irmgard, daughter of Gerhard VI, Count 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.
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.