A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Breiter family of Switzerland.
Reg. 7623 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
handFaith, sincerity and justice
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur à une main de carn., iss. d'une nuée d'arg. mouv. du canton sen. du chef, prenant la mesure d'une verge d'arg., posée en fasce; au 2 d'arg. au compas de sa., ouv. en chev. C.: un homme iss., hab. d'un parti d'azur et d'arg., coiffé d'un bonnet d'arg. sommé de deux pl. d'aut. de gu. et”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Breiter Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Breiter arms are recorded
The Breiter 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 Breiter Family in Switzerland
The surname Breiter is rooted in the German language, where it functions as a descriptive term meaning broader or wider. Historically, such names were often given as nicknames to individuals who possessed a sturdy physical build or perhaps a generous nature. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Bâle, which is known today as Basel, Switzerland. Records from 1745 confirm that members of the Breiter family were living and working within this influential hub of trade and culture. During this era, families in the region were often deeply integrated into the local guild systems or merchant networks that defined the social structure of the city. As the family moved through the generations in this Swiss urban center, they contributed to the local economy and the evolving identity of the community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Breit
Germanic adjective meaning wide or broad.
This name
BreiterA descriptive surname originally denoting a person of broad physical stature or build.
also spelled
Bryter
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister der Stadt Basel
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Basel (Stadt), 2011
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
handFaith, sincerity and justice
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
handFaith, sincerity and justice
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
