A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dorer family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6659 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
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 une porte crén., posée en coeur, les battants ouverts, soufenue d'un socle, le tout d'or, la porte hersée de sa. C.: la porte.”
SwitzerlandBaden Argovie, c. 1745
Where the Dorer Arms Were Recorded
Baden
Map of Switzerland showing where the Dorer arms are recorded
The Dorer arms were recorded in Baden Argovie, 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 Dorer Family in Switzerland
The surname Dorer has deep roots in the Swiss region, particularly within the canton of Aargau and the surrounding areas near the border of modern-day Germany. Historical records confirm that members of the Dorer family were well-established in the town of Baden by 1745, where they played active roles in the local community. The name itself is often linked to the Middle High German word "tor," which refers to a gate or a doorway. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name likely lived near a prominent town gate or served as gatekeepers for a fortified settlement. Over the centuries, the family became deeply integrated into the social and economic fabric of the Swiss plateau. They were often involved in trade and local governance, which allowed them to maintain a stable presence in the region for generations. By the mid-18th century, the Dorer family was recognized as a respected lineage within the Baden district, reflecting a long history of migration and settlement across the Swiss landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
ramLeadership and authority
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur à un bélier sautant d'arg., soutenu d'une terrasse de sin., celui du 1 cont.; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à une rose de gu., tigée et feuillée de sin. C.: un bélier iss. d'arg., tenant entre ses dents une rose de gu., tigée et feuillée de sin.; entre deux prob., coupées alt. d'arg. et d'azur. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Dorer Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Dorer arms are recorded
The Dorer 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 Dorer 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 Dorer Family in Germany
The family name Dorer is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of southern Germany, particularly within the region of Bavaria. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the name was already well established among the local population. Etymologically, the name is often linked to the Middle High German word "tor," which refers to a gate or a doorway. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name likely lived near a prominent town gate or served as gatekeepers for a fortified settlement. As people began to adopt permanent surnames to distinguish themselves in growing communities, those living at or working by these important entry points naturally became known as the Dorer family. By 1765, these individuals were integrated into the social and economic fabric of Bavarian life, living as farmers, craftsmen, or tradespeople who helped shape the rural and urban development of the region during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dorn
A sharp, pointed projection or thorn found on a plant.
This name
DorerAn occupational name for someone who lived near a thorny thicket or hedge.
also spelled
Dorr
Derer
Related arms
Dörrvariant spelling
Dörrervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Dorer, 2004
Staatsarchiv Aargau, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Baden, 1745
Zimmermann, Paul, Die Geschichte der Stadt Baden, 1900
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
ramLeadership and authority
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
