A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gassmann family of Switzerland.
Reg. 8973 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à trois glands d'or, tigés et feuillés de sin., mouv. des trois coupeaux d'un tertre du même, le gland du milieu plus élevé. C.: un gland d'or, tigé et feuillé de sin., mouv. d'un tertre de trois coupeaux du même. L.: à dextre d'or et de gu., à sen. de sin. et de gu.”
SwitzerlandSoleure, c. 1745
Where the Gassmann Arms Were Recorded
Soleure
Map of Switzerland showing where the Gassmann arms are recorded
The Gassmann arms were recorded in Soleure, 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 Gassmann Family in Switzerland
The family name Gassmann is a classic example of a topographic surname, which means it was originally used to identify people based on where they lived. In the German language, the name is derived from the word "Gasse," meaning a narrow street or an alleyway, combined with "Mann," meaning man. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were likely residents of a town or village who lived along a specific lane. By the year 1745, records confirm that the Gassmann family was well-established in the Swiss canton of Soleure. During this period, families in the region were often deeply connected to their local parishes and trade guilds, which helped them maintain a stable presence in the community for generations. As the family grew, they became a recognized part of the social fabric of Soleure, contributing to the local economy and the historical development of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gass
A narrow street, lane, or alleyway.
This name
GassmannAn occupational surname for someone who lived on or worked in a specific lane.
also spelled
Gassman
Gassmon
Gasman
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
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Solothurn, Kirchenbücher (Tauf-, Ehe- und Totenrodel), 1745
Zoder, Rudolf, Familiennamen in Ostfalen, 1968
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
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
