A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bienz family of Switzerland.
Reg. 4782 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à un monde d'azur, cintré et croisé d'or, posé sur une terrasse isolée de trois coupeaux de sin.; cette terrasse soutenue d'un croiss. figuré versé d'or; le monde surm. d'un soleil d'or. C.: le soleil. L.: d'or et de gu.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Bienz Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Bienz arms are recorded
The Bienz 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 Bienz Family in Switzerland
The family name Bienz finds its historical roots in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, where it emerged as a localized surname during the late medieval and early modern periods. The name is often associated with the Alemannic linguistic tradition, likely evolving as a descriptive term or a shortened form of a given name common to the Upper Rhine area. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the city of Bâle, which served as a major cultural and economic hub for the region. Records from 1745 confirm that members of the Bienz family were active participants in the civic life of the city, likely engaging in the skilled trades or merchant guilds that defined the social structure of Bâle at that time. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local urban fabric, contributing to the professional and community development of the city throughout the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bein
A Germanic term referring to a bone or a leg.
This name
BienzA topographic or occupational name likely referring to someone with a distinctive leg or a bone carver.
also spelled
Byenz
Beenz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, 1989
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister, 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
