A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bürgener family of Switzerland.
Reg. 3354 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 deux étoiles (6) d'or en chef et un soleil du même en p.”
SwitzerlandValais, c. 1745
Where the Bürgener Arms Were Recorded
Valais
Map of Switzerland showing where the Bürgener arms are recorded
The Bürgener arms were recorded in Valais, 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 Bürgener Family in Switzerland
The family name Bürgener originates from the mountainous region of Valais, Switzerland, where records confirm the family was well-established by the year 1745. The name itself is derived from the German word "Bürger," which translates to citizen or town dweller. In the context of the high Alpine valleys of the eighteenth century, this title likely identified individuals who held specific legal rights or duties within their local community. These early family members were typically farmers or mountain laborers who relied on the rugged landscape for their livelihood. Because Valais was a collection of independent mountain communes during this era, the Bürgener family played an active role in the social and political life of their local villages. Their history is deeply tied to the development of these isolated communities, reflecting the resilience and tight-knit nature of life in the Swiss Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burg
A fortified place, castle, or protected settlement.
This name
BürgenerRefers to a person who lived near or worked within a fortified castle or town.
also spelled
Burgner
Birgener
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Anton Riva, Die Walliser Familiennamen, 1985
Joseph-Marie Henry, Histoire du Valais, 1967
State Archives of Valais (Staatsarchiv Wallis), Zivilstandsregister (Civil Status Registers)
State Archives of Valais (Staatsarchiv Wallis), Gemeindearchive (Municipal Archives)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
