A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Freivogel family of Switzerland.
Reg. 3232 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'arg. à un griffon pass. de gu.; au 2 de gu. à un cygne d'arg., le vol levé. Cq. cour. C.: un griffon iss. de gu.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Freivogel Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Freivogel arms are recorded
The Freivogel 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 Freivogel Family in Switzerland
The surname Freivogel is deeply rooted in the history of the Basel region, where records confirm the family was well-established by the mid-eighteenth century. The name itself is a compound word derived from the German terms for free and bird, which likely served as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor who possessed a free-spirited or independent nature. During the 1700s, families in this area often lived in close-knit communities where such names became permanent identifiers passed down through generations. By 1745, the Freivogel family was already integrated into the social and economic life of Basel, participating in the local traditions and labor structures typical of that era. This early presence suggests that the family was part of the steady population growth that defined the city during the Enlightenment period. Their history reflects the broader movement of families across the Swiss landscape as they settled into specific regions and established their lasting identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Frei Vogel
Free bird, referring to a person with a free or wandering spirit.
This name
FreivogelAn occupational or descriptive surname likely denoting a free-spirited individual or someone who kept birds.
also spelled
Freivogel
Freyfogel
Frayvogel
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse der Stadt Basel
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, 1989
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
