A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the For family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1419 · 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 For Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the For arms are recorded
The For 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 For Family in Switzerland
The family name For has roots that trace back to the vibrant city of Basel, Switzerland, where members of the family were documented as residents by 1745. During the mid-eighteenth century, Basel served as a crucial hub for trade and intellectual exchange, placing the family in a region defined by its strong guild systems and growing merchant class. The name itself likely emerged from local linguistic traditions, perhaps serving as a descriptive label for individuals living near specific geographic features or working in particular trades common to the Rhine valley. As the family established their life in Basel, they became part of the complex social fabric of a city that was transitioning into a center of European commerce and enlightenment. Their presence in the city records during this era suggests they were integrated into the urban life of Switzerland, contributing to the local economy and the steady development of the region during a time of significant cultural change.
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 For Arms Were Recorded
Kempten
Map of Germany showing where the For arms are recorded
The For 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 For 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 For Family in Germany
The family name For has deep roots in the historical region of Swabia, particularly within the city of Kempten. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in this area, which was then a significant center for trade and religious administration under the Prince-Abbots of Kempten. Records from 1765 confirm that members of the For family were active participants in the local community during a time when the city was transitioning through major economic and social changes. Because the name is short and phonetically distinct, it likely originated as a topographic name or a descriptive nickname used to identify individuals based on their proximity to specific landmarks or their personal traits. As the family grew, they became integrated into the fabric of Kempten, contributing to the local workforce and the development of the city during the late Holy Roman Empire. Their presence in the region reflects the broader patterns of family settlement in southern Germany, where ancestral names were often tied to specific municipal districts and local occupations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Forst
A German term referring to a forest or wooded area.
This name
ForAn occupational name for someone who worked as a forest warden or lived near a forest.
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, 1745
Burckhardt, A., Die Bürger von Basel, 1902
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
