A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barth family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 3719 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
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 à une tête chauve d'homme barbu, de carn., posée de face; l'écu bordé d'or. Cq. cour C.: un buste d'homme, hab. d'azur, la tête pareille à celle de l'écu. L. d'or et d'azur.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1765
Where the Barth Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Barth arms are recorded
The Barth arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
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 Barth 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Barth Family in Germany
The surname Barth is a patronymic name, meaning it originated as a shortened form of the ancient name Bartholomew. In the German-speaking regions, this name became popular during the Middle Ages because of the influence of Saint Bartholomew. By the time members of the family were documented in Bavaria in 1765, the name had already been established for centuries across various German states. Families bearing this name were often found in agricultural or artisan communities where they held roles as farmers, craftsmen, or local tradespeople. Because the name was tied to a common given name, it emerged independently in different regions rather than originating from a single ancestor. This created a diverse history where families named Barth lived in distinct villages and towns, contributing to the local economy and culture of the Bavarian landscape long before the mid-eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 une tête d'homme barbu de carn., posée en bande, acc. au canton sen. du chef d'une étoile d'or. C.: les meubles de l'écu. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Barth Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Barth arms are recorded
The Barth 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 Barth Family in Switzerland
The family name Barth has deep roots in the Swiss city of Basel, where records confirm members of the family were established by the mid-18th century. The name itself is often linked to the medieval given name Bartholomaeus, which was a popular choice across Europe during the Middle Ages. In the context of Basel, families like the Barths were frequently part of the growing urban middle class that helped shape the city’s reputation as a center for trade and intellectual life. By 1745, individuals bearing this name were integrated into the local community, likely participating in the guild system that governed professional life in Switzerland at the time. These early ancestors helped establish a legacy of civic involvement that allowed the family to remain a recognized part of the Basel population for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 c.-éc., d'or au lion d'azur, et de gu. plein; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à une tête d'homme barbu, de carn., posé de face. Sur le tout d'azur à une flèche d'or, et une champagne de gu. ch. de six los. couchées et aboutées d'arg., en fasce. Cq. cour. C.: un homme barbu iss., hab. de gu., bout. d'or, coiffé d'un bonnet d'arg. retr. d'or; entre un vol, d'azur et de gu. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
Austriac. 1662
Where the Barth Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Barth arms are recorded
The Barth arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1662.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1662
Granting Authority for the Barth Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
1658–1705
Reigning in Germany when the Barth arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Barth Family in Austria
The surname Barth has deep roots in the alpine landscape of Austria, particularly within the rugged region of Tyrol. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area by 1662, living among the mountain communities that defined the social structure of the time. The name itself is often considered a short form of the name Bartholomew, which was a popular choice for children in Catholic regions during the Middle Ages. Families carrying this name were frequently involved in the local trades and agriculture that supported the economy of the Tyrol valleys. Because the region served as a major crossroads for trade between Italy and Germany, the Barth family likely interacted with diverse groups of travelers and merchants. Over the centuries, these early ancestors helped shape the cultural identity of their local parishes through their participation in community life and regional governance.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bartholomaeus
Aramaic name meaning son of Talmai, meaning abounding in furrows.
This name
BarthA shortened form of the given name Bartholomew, often used as a topographic name for someone living near a beard-shaped hill.
also spelled
Barthe
Bart
Related arms
Beckerrecorded with Barth, same area
Knorrrecorded with Barth, same area
Schafferrecorded with Barth, same area
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
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
