A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geering family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0521 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“D'azur à un trident de sa., emm. d'or, les dents en bas, enfoncées dans le dos d'un poisson d'arg. nageant dans une eau au nat.; le manche du trident accosté de deux étoiles d'or. C.: un homme barbu iss. d'azur, rebr. d'arg., au rabat du même, coiffé d'un chapeau de sa., tenant un poisson d'arg., en pal, courbé, la courbe à sen. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Geering Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Geering arms are recorded
The Geering 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 Geering Family in Switzerland
The Geering family name has deep roots in the city of Basel, Switzerland, where records confirm their presence by the year 1745. During this period, Basel was a thriving center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Geerings were often integrated into the city’s guild system. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word "ger," which relates to a spear or a pointed object, suggesting that early ancestors may have been associated with metalworking or military service. As residents of a prominent Swiss city, the Geerings likely participated in the local political and social life that defined the region during the eighteenth century. Their documented history in Basel reflects the broader movement of families who settled in urban hubs to pursue specialized trades and contribute to the growing economy of the Swiss Confederation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. two bars ar. on each three lozenges of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Geering Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Geering arms are recorded
The Geering arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Switzerland when the Geering arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Geering Family in England
The surname Geering has deep roots in the English landscape, with historical evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During this period, the name was likely linked to the occupational or geographic traditions of Northern England. Many surnames from this era evolved from specific local trades or the physical characteristics of the areas where families lived. By the seventeenth century, the Geering family was part of the growing urban population of York, a city that served as a vital hub for commerce and administration. As the family moved through the generations, they became part of the broader social fabric of the region. Their presence in historical records from the early 1600s suggests they were established members of the community during a time of significant change in English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gero
Derived from the Germanic element ger meaning spear.
This name
GeeringA patronymic surname denoting a descendant of someone named Gero or spear-wielder.
also spelled
Geeringe
Geeringg
Gearing
Gearin
Related arms
Gearingvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, 1989
Burckhardt, A., Die Bürger von Basel, 1920
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.
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
