A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Buchs family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1081 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bombOne who has faced a great siege
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 trois étoiles mal-ordonnées d'or; le champ chapé-ployé d'arg., à deux grenades de sin., ouv. de gu. L'écu bordé d'or. C.: une grenade de l'écu, entre deux prob. coupées, à dextre d'azur sur arg., à sen. d'or sur azur. L. conformes aux émaux des prob.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1731
Where the Buchs Arms Were Recorded
Map of Germany showing where the Buchs arms are recorded
The Buchs arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1731.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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 Germany in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Germany when the Buchs arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Silesia.
Origin & History of the Buchs Family in Germany
The surname Buchs is rooted in the linguistic landscape of German-speaking regions, where it likely originated as a topographic name. In many cases, the name was derived from the Middle High German word *buohs*, which refers to a beech tree or a forest dominated by beech trees. This suggests that the earliest families bearing this name were likely people who lived near a prominent grove or woodland. By 1731, historical records confirm the presence of the Buchs family in the region of Silesia. At that time, Silesia was a diverse territory under the influence of the Habsburg Monarchy, serving as a crossroads for various cultural and social movements. Families in this area often lived in rural or semi-rural settings, where their connection to the land and local geography helped define their identity within the community. As the family moved and grew, the name remained a testament to their ancestral ties to the natural landscapes of Central Europe.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 la bande d'arg., ch. de six bes. ovales d'or, 2, 2 et 2, posés dans le sens de la bande. Cq. cour. C.: un hêtre (sans fût) d'or. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Buchs Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Buchs arms are recorded
The Buchs 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 Buchs Family in Switzerland
The surname Buchs originates from the German word for beech tree, suggesting that the earliest families likely lived near a prominent grove or forest of these trees. While the name is found in various regions, the branch established in the canton of Bern by 1745 reflects a long history of integration into the Swiss social structure. During this period, families in the Bernese region were often tied to specific local parishes and agricultural communities. These early ancestors were likely involved in the traditional trades or farming practices that defined life in the Swiss plateau. As the family grew, they became part of the local citizenry, which allowed them to participate in the civic life of the canton. This transition from rural dwellers to established residents helped secure their place in the regional history of Switzerland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Buche
A type of deciduous tree known as the beech.
This name
BuchsA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent beech tree or forest.
also spelled
Buchss
Buchse
Buchs-von
Books
Related arms
Fuchssimilar arms
Mantellisimilar arms
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
State Archive in Wrocław (Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu), Księgi metrykalne i akta stanu cywilnego, 1731
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bombOne who has faced a great siege
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bombOne who has faced a great siege
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
