A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fierstein family of Switzerland.
Reg. 0453 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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'arg. à un briquet de sa., sommé d'une fleur-de-lis d'or et soutenu d'un tertre de sin. C.: un homme iss., hab. au nat., tenant de sa main dextre une fleur-de-lis d'or et de sa sen. un briquet de sa.”
SwitzerlandBerne, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Fierstein arms are recorded
The Fierstein 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 Fierstein Family in Switzerland
The surname Fierstein is rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it likely originated as a descriptive name. In the German language, the name combines elements that suggest a connection to iron or stone, potentially identifying an early ancestor who worked as a blacksmith or lived near a prominent landmark. By 1745, records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of Berne. During this period, families in the region were often tied to specific trades or local guilds, which helped them integrate into the social and economic life of the city. As the family grew, they moved through the changing landscapes of Central Europe, carrying their name as a reflection of their ancestral heritage and their early life in the Swiss capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Feuerstein
German for flint or fire stone.
This name
FiersteinAn occupational name for a flint knapper or someone who worked with fire-starting stones.
also spelled
Feuerstein
Feursten
Foyerstine
Firestone
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Bürgerrodel der Stadt Bern
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Familiennamen, 1957
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
