Christ Coat of Arms Record & History

A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Christ family lines. Documented in 2 countries.

Reg. 0278 · German, A–C

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Symbols on this shield

cross symbolChristian faith and service

flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept

Colours

Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth

Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity

Historical info

Source

J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87

Blazon (the actual original written record)

“Parti d'azur et d'arg.; à un gonfanon ch. d'une croix de gu. et attachée à une trabe croisée, posée en pal, le tout de l'un en l'autre. C.: un agneau pascal pass. d'arg., tenant le gonfanon.”

GermanyFrancfort s, c. 1765

Where the Christ Arms Were Recorded

Francfort s

Map of Germany showing where the Christ arms are recorded

The Christ arms were recorded in Francfort s, c. 1765.

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.

Region: Francfort s
Town: Francfort s
First recorded: 1765

Granting Authority for the Christ Arms

Authority

Imperial grant of arms

962-1806

The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.

Sovereign of the period

Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor

1745–1765

Reigning in Germany when the Christ 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 Christ Family in Germany

The surname Christ originated in Germany as a shortened form of the name Christian, which was a common way to identify individuals during the Middle Ages. Because the name was rooted in religious devotion, it was often used to signify a person who was baptized or lived according to Christian principles. By the eighteenth century, families bearing this name had established themselves in various regions, including the vibrant trade hub of Frankfurt. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the Christ family were active participants in the social and economic life of this city. During this era, families with this name were typically integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes, contributing to the steady growth of German urban centers. The name served as a link to both their personal heritage and the broader cultural identity of the German-speaking lands.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Symbols on this shield

cross symbolChristian faith and service

flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept

Colours

Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth

Red (Gules)Means: Military strength

Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity

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 un gonfanon d'arg., ch. d'une croix de gu., attachée à une trabe croisée posée en pal. C.: un agneau pascal pass. d'arg., tenant le gonfanon. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'arg. et d'azur.”

SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745

Where the Christ Arms Were Recorded

Bâle

Map of Switzerland showing where the Christ arms are recorded

The Christ 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.

Region: Bâle
Town: Bâle
First recorded: 1745

Granting Authority for the Christ Arms

Authority

Cantonal and civic registers

14th century onwards

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 Christ Family in Switzerland

The family name Christ has deep roots in the city of Basel, where records confirm members of the family were established citizens by 1745. The name itself is a shortened form of Christian, which was a common way for families to identify themselves based on their religious devotion during the Middle Ages. In the Swiss context, the Christ family became well-known for their involvement in the city’s professional and civic life. By the mid-18th century, they were integrated into the social fabric of Basel, often participating in the local guilds that controlled trade and politics. This period was a time of growth for the city, and families like the Christs helped shape the local economy through their work as merchants and public officials. Their presence in Basel reflects the broader history of Swiss families who built stable legacies through generations of community service and professional excellence.