A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gassner family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5191 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 la bande d'arg., ch. de trois socs de charrue de sa., posés dans le sens de la bande, les pointes en bas. C.: deux prob., celle à dextre barrée et celle à sen. bandée de gu. et d'arg.”
GermanyBiberach Wurt, c. 1765
Where the Gassner Arms Were Recorded
Biberach
Map of Germany showing where the Gassner arms are recorded
The Gassner arms were recorded in Biberach Wurt, 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 Germany when the Gassner 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 Gassner Family in Germany
The surname Gassner is a classic example of a topographical name, which means it was originally used to identify people based on where they lived or worked. In the German language, the term "Gasse" refers to a narrow street or a lane, and the suffix "-ner" indicates a person associated with that place. Historically, this suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were likely residents of a town or village who lived along a specific alleyway or served as caretakers of a public lane. By the time the family was documented in Biberach in 1765, this name had already become a fixed identifier passed down through generations. During the eighteenth century, Biberach was a bustling center of trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Gassners were often part of the essential urban workforce that kept these communities functioning. Their presence in the town records reflects a stable life rooted in the local economy of the Swabian region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
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 sin. à une fleur-de-lis, acc. en chef de deux étoiles (6) et en p. d'un tertre de trois coupeaux, le tout d'or.”
SwitzerlandValais, c. 1745
Where the Gassner Arms Were Recorded
Valais
Map of Switzerland showing where the Gassner arms are recorded
The Gassner arms were recorded in Valais, 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 Gassner Family in Switzerland
The family name Gassner has deep roots in the alpine landscape of Switzerland, particularly within the rugged terrain of the Valais region. By the mid-eighteenth century, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area by 1745. The name itself is derived from the German word Gasse, which means a narrow street or lane. This suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely residents of a town or village rather than isolated farmers, as the name was often given to those who lived along a specific path or thoroughfare. Over time, these families became integrated into the local community life of the Swiss cantons, contributing to the agricultural and social development of their mountain valleys. As the family grew, they maintained a strong connection to their regional identity, reflecting the broader history of families who shaped the unique cultural fabric of the Swiss Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gasse
A narrow street, alley, or lane in a medieval town.
This name
GassnerAn occupational or habitational name for someone who lived in or near an alley.
also spelled
Gassnier
Gassnor
Gasner
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Stadtarchiv Biberach an der Riß, Bürgerbuch der Stadt Biberach, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
