A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bodmer family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2467 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 une croix latine d'or, soutenue de deux pieux du même, posés en chev. renv.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Bodmer Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Bodmer arms are recorded
The Bodmer arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Bodmer Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Bodmer arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Bodmer Family in Netherlands
The name Bodmer is deeply rooted in Germanic linguistic traditions, likely originating as a descriptive term for a person who lived on or managed a specific piece of land. While the name is often associated with regions further south, historical records confirm that members of the Bodmer family were established in the province of Friesland by 1815. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant administrative changes following the Napoleonic era, which led to the formal registration of surnames for tax and census purposes. Families in northern provinces like Friesland often held roles in agriculture or local trade, and the presence of the Bodmer name suggests a migration pattern where individuals moved across borders to settle in the fertile coastal plains. By integrating into the local Frisian community, these early family members became part of a distinct regional culture that valued independence and maritime commerce.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au lion de gu.; au chef de sa., ch. de trois bes. d'arg. C.: le lion, iss. L.: à dextre d'or et de gu., à sen. d'or et de sa.”
SwitzerlandBaden Argovie, c. 1745
Where the Bodmer Arms Were Recorded
Baden
Map of Switzerland showing where the Bodmer arms are recorded
The Bodmer arms were recorded in Baden Argovie, 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 Bodmer Family in Switzerland
The family name Bodmer is deeply rooted in the history of the Swiss Confederation, with its origins tied to the Middle High German word "bodem," which refers to a person who owned land or served as a steward of a property. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Baden, a territory that became a vital part of the Swiss canton of Aargau. During this era, families with this name were often involved in local governance, trade, or agriculture, reflecting the social mobility common among established Swiss clans. As the family grew, they became integrated into the civic life of the region, contributing to the development of local communities through their work and public service. Their presence in Baden by 1745 highlights a long-standing connection to the Swiss landscape, where the name evolved alongside the changing political and social structures of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bode
A messenger or herald in Germanic languages.
This name
BodmerA person who served as a messenger or a representative of another.
also spelled
Bodmar
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
AlleFriezen, Burgerlijke Stand Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland)
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen (1950)
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van familienamen (1992)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
