A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alt family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1125 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un cor-de-chasse d'arg. en forme de poisson courbé, la tête à sen., suspendu à une croix latine de sa. C.: un homme iss., hab. de sa., coiffé d'un chapeau du même, au rabat d'or, rebr. du même, tenant de sa main dextre un aviron d'or, en pal. L. d'or et de sa.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Alt Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Alt arms are recorded
The Alt 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 Alt Family in Switzerland
The family name Alt has deep roots in the Swiss city of Basel, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1745. During the eighteenth century, Basel was a thriving center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Alts often played a vital role in the local economy. The name itself is of Germanic origin and typically served as a descriptive nickname, likely used to distinguish an elder member of a community or a person of long-standing residence in a specific area. As the family settled into the urban fabric of Basel, they became part of the city’s complex social structure, which was governed by strict guild systems and merchant networks. By living in such a prominent crossroads of Europe, the early Alt family members were positioned to participate in the intellectual and commercial growth that defined the region during the Enlightenment. Their presence in the city archives during this period reflects a time of stability and integration, marking the family as a recognized part of the local population long before the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cross symbolChristian faith and service
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Quarterly, gu. and ar. within a bordure of annulets and crosses pattée alternately counterchanged”
LeicesterLoughborough · Leicester, c. 1620
Where the Alt Arms Were Recorded
Leicester
Map of England showing where the Alt arms are recorded
The Alt arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1620.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Switzerland when the Alt arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Leicester.
Origin & History of the Alt Family in England
The surname Alt is a short and distinctive name that likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier in medieval Europe before spreading to England. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the English Midlands, specifically within the county of Leicestershire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Alt family were living and working in Leicester during this period, a time when the city was a bustling center for trade and local governance. As the family settled into the social fabric of the region, they became part of the local community, likely participating in the agricultural or mercantile activities that defined life in Leicester at the time. Over the following generations, the name remained rooted in this area, reflecting the quiet but steady history of families who contributed to the development of English provincial life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Altus
Latin term meaning high, deep, or noble.
This name
AltRefers to a person who lived on high ground or was of tall stature.
also spelled
Alte
Altt
Ault
Aulth
Related arms
Aultvariant spelling
Brewinrecorded with Alt, same area
Hastingsrecorded with Alt, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse der Stadt Basel
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, 1989
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
cross symbolChristian faith and service
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
bordureA difference between branches of one family
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
