A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Birr family of Switzerland.
Reg. 6277 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 sa. à trois fleurs-de-lis d'or. C.: une fleur-de-lis d'or, entre un vol coupé alt. d'or et de sa.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Birr Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Birr arms are recorded
The Birr 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 Birr Family in Switzerland
The surname Birr is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Upper Rhine region, with significant documentation placing the family in the city of Bâle, Switzerland, by the year 1745. The name likely originated as a topographic or occupational descriptor, common for families living near specific landmarks or engaged in local trades during the late medieval and early modern periods. As the family established itself in Bâle, they became part of the city’s vibrant urban fabric, which served as a major center for commerce and intellectual exchange. Over the following generations, members of the Birr family integrated into the social and economic life of the region, often leaving traces in municipal records that track their movements and professional contributions. This transition from local inhabitants to established citizens reflects the broader patterns of migration and family growth that defined the Swiss borderlands during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Birre
Old High German term for a pear tree.
This name
BirrA topographic name for someone who lived near a pear tree or an orchard.
also spelled
Byrr
Bir
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, Familiennamen der Schweiz, 2012
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
