A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fehr family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0150 · 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 Fehr Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Fehr arms are recorded
The Fehr 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 Fehr Family in Switzerland
The surname Fehr is deeply rooted in the history of the Swiss Confederation, where it originated as a descriptive name for people who worked as ferrymen or boat operators. In the German language, the term "Fähr" refers to a crossing point on a river, suggesting that the earliest ancestors of the family likely managed essential transport routes across the swift waters of the Swiss landscape. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Bern, which served as a major political and economic hub. Records from 1745 confirm that members of the Fehr family were integrated into the social fabric of this region, likely participating in the local trades or civic duties that defined life in the Swiss cantons during that era. Over time, the name evolved from a simple occupational title into a permanent family identity that persisted through generations of Swiss history.
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 Fehr Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Fehr arms are recorded
The Fehr 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 Fehr 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 Fehr Family in Germany
The surname Fehr is deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly within the southern territories of Bavaria. Historically, the name is classified as an occupational surname, likely derived from the Middle High German word "vëre," which referred to a ferryman or someone who operated a river crossing. Given the geography of Bavaria with its many rivers and trade routes, families carrying this name were often essential to local commerce and travel. By the mid-16th century, records confirm that the Fehr family was well-established in this region, participating in the social and economic life of their communities. These early ancestors were typically commoners who lived as farmers, tradesmen, or laborers, contributing to the steady development of Bavarian village life during the Renaissance period. Over time, the name spread from these river-based origins to become a recognized part of the regional identity in southern Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fähre
A ferry or a place where a river is crossed.
This name
FehrAn occupational name for a ferryman who operated a boat to transport people across water.
also spelled
Feer
Fahr
Fair
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.
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
