A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Curt family of Switzerland.
Reg. 9681 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Tiercé en fasce: au 1 d'or à l'aigle de sa.; au 2 parti: a. d'arg. au lion de gu., b. de gu. à un château crén. d'arg., ouv. du champ et sommé de deux tours d'arg.; au 3 palé d'azur et d'or [V. Curti, à Coire.]”
SwitzerlandGenève, c. 1745
Where the Curt Arms Were Recorded
Genève
Map of Switzerland showing where the Curt arms are recorded
The Curt arms were recorded in Genève, 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 Curt Family in Switzerland
The family name Curt has deep roots in the region of Geneva, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1745. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname derived from the Old French word "court," which means short. In medieval times, such names were often given to individuals based on their physical stature or perhaps their concise way of speaking. As the family settled into the social fabric of Geneva during the eighteenth century, they became part of a vibrant city known for its trade, craftsmanship, and intellectual growth. While the family name reflects a simple linguistic origin, it represents a long history of integration into the local community, where generations of the Curt family lived, worked, and contributed to the development of the region over several centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Curtus
Latin term meaning short, stunted, or curtailed.
This name
CurtA descriptive nickname for a person of short stature or someone who was brief in speech.
also spelled
Kurt
Related arms
Kurtvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives d'État de Genève, État civil et registres paroissiaux de Genève (1745)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France (1951)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
