A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bar family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 8893 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
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 semé de croix recr. au pied fiché d'or; à deux bars adossés du même, br. sur le tout.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Bar Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Bar arms are recorded
The Bar arms were recorded in Germany, 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 Bar 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 Bar Family in Germany
The surname Bar has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it often functioned as a descriptive name for individuals living in the southern territories. By the middle of the eighteenth century, members of the Bar family were well-established in Bavaria, a region known for its complex system of local record-keeping and agricultural traditions. During this era, families often settled in specific rural districts where they contributed to the local economy through farming or skilled trades. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects, reflecting the linguistic shifts common in the Holy Roman Empire before the unification of modern Germany. As these families grew, they became integrated into the fabric of Bavarian village life, leaving behind traces in church registers and tax documents that help historians map their movement across the landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 la bande de gu.”
ChampagneChampagne, c. 1663
Where the Bar Arms Were Recorded
Champagne
Map of France showing where the Bar arms are recorded
The Bar arms were recorded in Champagne, c. 1663.
Champagne made its money at its great trade fairs, where merchants from across Europe met. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region carries a lot of names.
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 Bar 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 Champagne.
Origin & History of the Bar Family in France
The surname Bar is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of northeastern France, particularly within the Champagne region. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was a vital center for trade and agriculture during the seventeenth century. The name itself likely originated as a topographic descriptor, referring to individuals who lived near a sandbank or a river crossing, as the word "bar" historically denoted such geographical features in various French dialects. As the family settled in Champagne, they became part of the local social fabric, navigating the complex economic shifts of the French provinces. Their presence in this region suggests they were active participants in the rural and civic life of the era, contributing to the development of the communities that defined the heart of the kingdom.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 l'ours ramp. de sa. C.: l'ours, iss.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Bar Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Bar arms are recorded
The Bar 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 Bar Family in Switzerland
The history of the Bar family in Switzerland is deeply connected to the city of Basel, where records confirm their presence by the year 1745. The name itself is often linked to geographic origins, as it likely identified individuals who migrated from the town of Bar-le-Duc in France or from other regions sharing that name. During the eighteenth century, families in Basel were often part of a structured social system where residency and trade guilds played a major role in daily life. Members of the Bar family likely integrated into this urban environment by working in specialized crafts or commerce, which were the primary ways for new residents to gain status in the city. Over time, the family became a part of the local fabric of Basel, contributing to the steady growth of the region during a period of significant economic change in Switzerland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bero
A Germanic term referring to a brown animal.
This name
BarA topographic or habitational name for someone living in a house marked by a bear sign.
also spelled
Barr
Bare
Related arms
Frayssinoussimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv), Kurbayern Hofkammer Buchhaltung
Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv), Geheimes Landesarchiv
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1882
Kohlheim, Rosa and Volker, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20.000 Nachnamen, 2005
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
