A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blatter family of Switzerland.
Reg. 5619 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Losangé d'arg. et d'azur ; au chef du premier, ch. une rose de gu.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Blatter Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Blatter arms are recorded
The Blatter arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Blatter Family in Switzerland
The surname Blatter is deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, with its origins tied to the descriptive naming practices of the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "blat," which often referred to a leaf or a flat piece of land. It is likely that the first people to carry this name earned it by living near a prominent field or a specific type of foliage, or perhaps it served as a nickname for someone with a thin physical build. By the time members of the family were firmly established in the city of Bern in 1745, they were part of a long-standing tradition of Swiss citizens who contributed to the local economy and social structure. These early families were often integrated into the civic life of the region, where they worked as farmers, craftsmen, or local officials. Over the centuries, the name spread from these rural landscapes into the growing urban centers, maintaining its connection to the geography and history of the Swiss cantons.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Blatt
A leaf or a thin sheet of material.
This name
BlatterA topographic name for someone who lived near a leaf-covered area or a meadow.
also spelled
Blattre
Blatterr
Blattier
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon, 1967
Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Familiennamen, 1957
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Bürgerrodel der Stadt Bern, 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
