Map of Switzerland showing where the Burkhart arms are recorded
The Burkhart 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 Burkhart Family in Switzerland
The surname Burkhart is deeply rooted in the Germanic linguistic tradition, originating from the Old High German words "burg," meaning fortress or protection, and "hard," meaning brave or strong. By the time the family established a documented presence in Basel, Switzerland, around 1745, the name had already evolved through centuries of regional usage. In the context of 18th-century Basel, a city known for its bustling trade and intellectual life along the Rhine, families like the Burkharts often occupied roles within the merchant guilds or the skilled artisan classes. These early residents were part of a society transitioning through the Enlightenment, where surnames became increasingly vital for tracking legal rights, property ownership, and guild memberships. As the family settled into the urban fabric of Basel, they contributed to the city's reputation as a center for commerce and craftsmanship, embedding their name into the local history of the Swiss Confederation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 la tour de gu., couverte d'un toit pointu du même, posée sur un”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Burkhart arms are recorded
The Burkhart arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Switzerland when the Burkhart 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Burkhart Family in Germany
The surname Burkhart is rooted in the Old High German language, originating from the combination of the words "burg," meaning fortress or castle, and "hard," meaning brave, hardy, or strong. This suggests that the name was originally a descriptive title given to individuals who were known for their strength or their role as protectors of a fortified settlement. By the time members of the family were documented in Bavaria in 1765, the name had been established for centuries as a common patronymic throughout the German-speaking regions. Families with this name were often part of the agrarian or artisan classes, living in small villages where they contributed to the local economy and community life. As the name spread across different German states, it evolved into various spellings, yet it consistently reflected the values of resilience and stability that were highly prized in early modern German society.
Burkhart Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Burkhard
Derived from the Germanic elements burg meaning fortress and hard meaning brave.
This name
BurkhartA surname signifying a person who is as brave and strong as a fortress.
also spelled
Burckhart
Burckhard
Burkhart
Burkard
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
Müller, Josef, Schweizerisches Idiotikon: Wörterbuch der schweizerdeutschen Sprache, 1901
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
