Map of Switzerland showing where the Eichenberger arms are recorded
The Eichenberger arms were recorded in Berne, 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 Eichenberger Family in Switzerland
The surname Eichenberger originates from the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, specifically deriving from the combination of the words "Eiche," meaning oak tree, and "Berg," meaning mountain or hill. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent oak-covered hill or within a forest dominated by oak trees. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a firm presence in the canton of Berne, where records confirm their residency by 1745. During this era, families with this name were typically involved in agriculture or skilled trades, living in the rural communities surrounding the city of Berne. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the local social and administrative structures of the Swiss confederation, maintaining their connection to the land and the distinct regional identity of the Bernese Oberland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eiche
A sturdy deciduous tree known as an oak.
This name
EichenbergerRefers to someone who lived near or worked at a mountain or hill covered in oak trees.
also spelled
Eichelberg
Eychelberger
Eichelbarger
Eikelberger
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, 1989
Müller, Josef, Schweizerisches Idiotikon: Wörterbuch der schweizerdeutschen Sprache, 1901
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Kirchgemeinden
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
