A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Erlacher family of Switzerland.
Reg. 0412 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à une croix de Lorraine d'or de trois traverses, entre deux demi-vols adossés”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Erlacher Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Erlacher arms are recorded
The Erlacher 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 Erlacher Family in Switzerland
The family name Erlacher originates from the German-speaking regions of Europe and is a topographical surname, meaning it was originally given to people who lived near a grove of alder trees. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "erle," which refers to the alder tree, combined with the suffix "ach," indicating a place where these trees grew in abundance. By the middle of the eighteenth century, members of the Erlacher family were well-established in the city of Bâle. During this period, Bâle served as a vital center for trade and intellectual exchange, and families like the Erlachers often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. As they settled into the city, they became part of the social and economic fabric of the region, contributing to the local community through their work and daily life in the Swiss landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Erle
A deciduous tree of the birch family growing in wet soil.
This name
ErlacherA topographic name for someone who lived near an alder tree or grove.
also spelled
Erlach
Erlachere
Erlachar
Erlaker
Related arms
Erlachvariant spelling
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
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister, 1745
Zoder, Rudolf, Familiennamen in Ostfalen, 1968
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
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
