A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bratcher family of Switzerland.
Reg. 4013 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cramponFirm hold on what has been gained
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à une marque de sa. en forme de crampon croisé d'une traverse, acc. en chef de deux étoiles d'or. Brl. de gu. et d'arg. C.: un bras, arm. d'arg., lisé d'or, brandissant une épée. L.: d'arg. et de gu.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Bratcher arms are recorded
The Bratcher 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 Bratcher Family in Switzerland
The family name Bratcher is deeply rooted in the history of the Upper Rhine region, with significant records placing family members in the city of Bâle, Switzerland, by the year 1745. During the eighteenth century, Bâle served as a vital crossroads for trade and intellectual exchange, attracting families who were often skilled in craftsmanship or mercantile pursuits. The name likely evolved from regional Germanic or Alemannic linguistic roots, reflecting the common practice of identifying individuals by their occupation or their specific place of origin within the landscape. As these early ancestors moved through the bustling streets of Bâle, they contributed to the local social fabric before many later generations eventually migrated across Europe and eventually to the Americas. This transition from a localized Swiss presence to a broader international footprint highlights the resilience and mobility of families living during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brach
Germanic term referring to fallow or uncultivated land.
This name
BratcherAn occupational surname for someone who worked on or lived near fallow land.
also spelled
Bratscher
Bratscha
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister (1745)
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Basel (1745)
Burckhardt, A., Die Bürger von Basel (1920)
Suter, A., Der schweizerische Bauernkrieg von 1653: Politische Sozialgeschichte – Sozialgeschichte eines politischen Ereignisses (1997)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cramponFirm hold on what has been gained
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cramponFirm hold on what has been gained
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
