A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frutiger family of Switzerland.
Reg. 9844 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au chev. d'azur, chaque jambe ch. d'un chien braque courant d'or, coil. et bouclé de sa., celui à dextre cont. Cq. cour. C.: un chien de l'écu, iss., entre un vol d'or, chaque aile ch. d'un chev. d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Frutiger Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Frutiger arms are recorded
The Frutiger 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 Frutiger Family in Switzerland
The family name Frutiger originates from the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, specifically linked to the town of Frutigen in the Bernese Oberland. The name is a topographic surname, which means it was originally given to people who came from that specific location. By the middle of the eighteenth century, members of the family had moved away from their ancestral home and established a presence in the city of Basel. Records confirm that the family was well-settled in Basel by 1745, where they likely integrated into the urban economy as merchants or skilled craftsmen. During this era, families often migrated toward larger cities to seek better trade opportunities and social stability. The movement of the Frutiger family from the mountains to a major trade hub like Basel reflects the broader patterns of internal migration that shaped Swiss society during the Enlightenment period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Frucht
German word meaning fruit or produce
This name
FrutigerA topographic or occupational name for someone who grew or traded fruit
also spelled
Frutigger
Frutigeri
Frutegar
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, 1989
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
