A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fasnacht family of Switzerland.
Reg. 0720 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 un vautour ess. d'arg., tenant en son bec une bague d'or et posé sur une terrasse rocheuse du même. C.: le vautour.”
SwitzerlandBerne, c. 1745
Where the Fasnacht Arms Were Recorded
Berne
Map of Switzerland showing where the Fasnacht arms are recorded
The Fasnacht 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 Fasnacht Family in Switzerland
The surname Fasnacht originates from the German-speaking regions of Europe and is tied to the pre-Lenten festival season known as Carnival. The name is derived from the Middle High German words *vasen*, meaning to fast, and *naht*, meaning night, which together refer to the eve of the Lenten fast. Families who held this name were often associated with the traditions, performances, or social gatherings held during this festive period. By 1745, records confirm that members of the Fasnacht family were well-established in the city of Berne, Switzerland. During this era, the family likely participated in the local civic and economic life of the Swiss Confederation, contributing to the vibrant culture of the region as it transitioned through the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fastnacht
The eve of the beginning of the Lenten fasting period.
This name
FasnachtA topographic or habitational name for someone who lived near a site associated with pre-Lenten carnival festivities.
also spelled
Fasnacht
Fassnach
Fasnakt
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Bürgerrodel der Stadt Bern
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
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
