A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forrer family of Switzerland.
Reg. 1683 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
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)
“Coupé d'arg. sur gu.; à un arbre arr. au nat., br. sur le coupé; l'écu bordé d'or. C.: un sauvage iss. de carn., ceint de lierre, tenant de chaque main un arbre arr. au nat.”
SwitzerlandWinterthur Zurich, c. 1745
Where the Forrer Arms Were Recorded
Winterthur
Map of Switzerland showing where the Forrer arms are recorded
The Forrer arms were recorded in Winterthur Zurich, 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 Forrer Family in Switzerland
The surname Forrer is deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, particularly within the canton of Zurich. The name is occupational in origin, likely derived from the Middle High German word *vorer*, which referred to a forester or someone who managed woodland areas. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a firm presence in the city of Winterthur, where records confirm their residence by 1745. During this period, families like the Forrers were often integrated into the local guild systems or agricultural life of the region. As the family grew, they became part of the steady development of Winterthur from a small settlement into a more prominent center of trade and craftsmanship. Their history reflects the broader patterns of Swiss migration and social organization, where families often remained in the same geographic area for generations to maintain their livelihoods and community standing.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Forst
A wooded area or forest.
This name
ForrerAn occupational surname for someone who worked in or managed a forest.
also spelled
Forer
Related arms
Forervariant spelling
Goszweilerrecorded with Forrer, same area
Huberrecorded with Forrer, same area
Payer de Flaachrecorded with Forrer, same area
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
Heer, Traugott, Zürcher Familiennamen, 1954
Stadtarchiv Winterthur, Bürgerrodel der Stadt Winterthur
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Winterthur
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treeLife, endurance and deep roots
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
