A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fahr family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2069 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'azur à une fleur-de-lis d'or; le champ chapé-ployé d'arg. à trois fasces de gu. C.: une fleur-de-lis d'or, entre un vol d'arg., chaque aile ch. de trois fasces de gu. L.: à dextre d'or et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Fahr Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Fahr arms are recorded
The Fahr arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Fahr Family in Switzerland
The family name Fahr has deep roots in the Swiss region of Bern, where records confirm members of the family were established by the mid-18th century. The name itself is likely topographic in origin, often linked to the Middle High German word "var," which refers to a ferry crossing or a place where one could ford a river. In the landscape of historic Switzerland, families often took their names from the specific geography of their homesteads or the trades they performed near local waterways. By 1745, the Fahr family was already integrated into the social fabric of Bern, likely participating in the agricultural and craft-based economy that defined the canton during that era. As the family grew, they became part of the long tradition of Swiss citizens who maintained strong ties to their local parishes and municipal districts, helping to shape the community identity of the region for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lambGentleness, patience and faith
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé de sa. sur or; à un mouton ramp., de l'un en l'autre. C.: un bélier iss.; entre un vol, coupé alt. de sa. et d'or.”
Germanyc. 1566
Where the Fahr Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Fahr arms are recorded
The Fahr arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1566.
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.
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
1564–1576
Reigning in Switzerland when the Fahr 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 Fahr Family in Germany
The surname Fahr originates from the German language and is deeply connected to the geography and daily life of the region. The name is derived from the Middle High German word *var*, which refers to a ferry or a crossing point over a river. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived near a waterway and worked as ferrymen or managed a crossing for travelers and goods. By 1566, records confirm that the family was well-established in the Bavarian region. During this period, Bavaria was a center of trade and agriculture, and families often took their surnames from the specific roles they played in their local communities. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Bavarian landscape, moving from simple river workers into various roles within the towns and rural villages of southern Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fahr
Derived from the Middle High German word for a journey or passage.
This name
FahrRefers to a person who lived near a ferry crossing or a frequently traveled path.
also spelled
Feer
Fahr
Fair
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, 2002
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern, 1745
Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, 1989
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lambGentleness, patience and faith
