A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fer family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9550 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
Colours
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'or à un homme dans un canot qu'il fait avancer au moyen d'un aviron, sur une mer au nat.; ledit homme hab. de sa. et coiffé d'un chapeau du même. C.: une arbre de sin., fruité d'or, le pied accosté de palmes de sin. L. d'or et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Fer Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Fer arms are recorded
The Fer 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 Fer Family in Switzerland
The family name Fer has deep roots in the Swiss city of Bâle, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1745. During this period, Bâle was a thriving center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Fers were often integrated into the local guild systems that governed urban life. The name itself is thought to be linked to the French word for iron, suggesting that early ancestors may have been metalworkers, blacksmiths, or merchants involved in the iron trade. As residents of a prominent Swiss city, these early family members likely navigated the complex social and political shifts of the eighteenth century, contributing to the local economy and the distinct culture of the region. Their presence in the city archives highlights a long-standing history of residency and participation in the civic development of Bâle.
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 agneau ramp. de l'un en l'autre. C.: un agneau iss. d'or; entre un vol, coupé alt. de sa. et d'or.”
GermanyKempten Bav, c. 1765
Where the Fer Arms Were Recorded
Kempten
Map of Germany showing where the Fer arms are recorded
The Fer arms were recorded in Kempten Bav, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Switzerland when the Fer 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 Fer Family in Germany
The family name Fer has deep roots in the historical landscape of southern Germany, particularly within the Allgäu region of Bavaria. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of Kempten. During this era, Kempten was a bustling hub influenced by both its status as a free imperial city and the presence of a powerful prince-abbey. Families like the Fers often lived through a time of significant social change as the region transitioned from feudal traditions toward more modern administrative structures. Living in a city like Kempten suggests that early ancestors were likely involved in the local trade, craft guilds, or agricultural management that defined the economy of the Bavarian Alps. Over time, the name became a permanent part of the local identity, reflecting the steady growth and movement of families across the German states during the late 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ferrum
Latin word for iron or a metal tool.
This name
FerAn occupational surname for a blacksmith or someone who worked with iron.
also spelled
For
Fer
Fur
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister der Stadt Basel
Burckhardt, A., Die Bürger von Basel, 1940
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
knightChivalry and service in arms
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
knightChivalry and service in arms
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
lambGentleness, patience and faith
