A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Escher family of Switzerland.
Reg. 6606 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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)
“Tranché: au 1 de gu. à un lynx ramp. au nat.; au 2 d'or plein. Cq. cour. C.: le lynx, iss., coll. d'un ruban flottant de gu.”
SwitzerlandZurich, c. 1745
Where the Escher Arms Were Recorded
Zurich
Map of Switzerland showing where the Escher arms are recorded
The Escher arms were recorded in Zurich, 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 Escher Family in Switzerland
The Escher family name has deep roots in the city of Zurich, where members of the family were prominent figures as early as the mid-eighteenth century. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word "escher," which referred to a person who lived near an ash tree or perhaps someone who worked on land treated with wood ash. By 1745, the family had already established a strong presence in the political and social life of the region. They were deeply involved in the governance of Zurich and played a significant role in the city's transition into a modern industrial center. Over many generations, the family became known for their influence in banking, politics, and the development of Switzerland’s railway infrastructure. Their history is closely tied to the growth of Zurich as a major European hub for trade and finance.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Asch
Derived from the Middle High German word for ash tree.
This name
EscherAn occupational or habitational name for someone living near an ash tree or ash grove.
also spelled
Esher
Related arms
Eschvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Guggenbühl, Gottfried. Zürcher Geschichte. 1954
Escher, Hermann. Die Familie Escher vom Glas. 1903
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich, Zürcher Geschlechterbuch
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
