A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goldenberg family of Switzerland.
Reg. 4196 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'arg. à la bande d'azur, ch. de trois croiss. versés d'or, posés dans le sens de la bande. C.: un chapeau pyramidal aux armes de l'écu, sommé d'un panache de plumes de coq de sa.”
SwitzerlandZurich, c. 1745
Where the Goldenberg Arms Were Recorded
Zurich
Map of Switzerland showing where the Goldenberg arms are recorded
The Goldenberg arms were recorded in Zurich, 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 Goldenberg Family in Switzerland
The surname Goldenberg is a topographic name, meaning it was originally derived from the physical landscape where a family lived. In German, the name translates to golden mountain or golden hill, likely referring to a specific geographic feature or a vineyard that caught the sunlight in a striking way. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in Zurich, Switzerland, where records confirm their presence by 1745. During this era, families in the region often adopted surnames based on their surroundings or their trade to distinguish themselves within growing urban populations. As the Goldenberg family settled in Zurich, they became part of the city’s civic life, contributing to the local economy and social structure during a period of significant regional development. Their history reflects the common practice of families identifying themselves through the natural beauty of the land they inhabited.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gold and Berg
Precious yellow metal and a mountain or hill.
This name
GoldenbergA topographical name for someone living near a gold-bearing mountain or a prominent hill.
Related arms
Kecksimilar arms
Manettisimilar arms
Plaggasimilar arms
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
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung, 1971
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich, Zürcher Bürgerrechtsregister (Citizenship Registers)
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich, Kirchenbücher (Parish Registers)
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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
