A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bloch family of Switzerland.
Reg. 2856 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 petite poutre carrée de bois, au nat., vue de biais, posée sur un tertre de trois coupeaux de sin.; le tout acc. de trois étoiles d'or, rangées en chef. Brl. de gu. et d'arg. C.: une étoile d'or, entre deux prob. coupées d'azur sur or. L. d'or et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Bloch Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Bloch arms are recorded
The Bloch 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 Bloch Family in Switzerland
The surname Bloch has deep roots in Central Europe, and its origins are closely tied to the history of Jewish communities in the German-speaking lands. Linguists generally believe the name is a variation of the Middle High German word "bloch," which was often used as a descriptive term for someone who originated from the region of Poland. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Bâle, Switzerland. During this era, families in the region often navigated complex residency laws that dictated where they could live and work. The presence of the Bloch family in Bâle by 1745 reflects a period of migration and community building as families sought stability within the urban centers of the Rhine valley. Over time, the name became a permanent fixture in the local records, marking the family as an integral part of the social and economic fabric of the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Blok
A Middle High German term referring to a block of wood.
This name
BlochAn occupational name for a woodcutter or someone who worked with blocks of timber.
also spelled
Blok
Block
Related arms
Blokvariant spelling
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
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Einwohnerverzeichnisse und Bürgerregister der Stadt Basel, 1745
Zoder, Rudolf, Familiennamen in Ostfalen, 1968
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
