A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grasser family of Switzerland.
Reg. 9541 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fireZeal and purification
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la bande de sa., ch. de trois flammes du champ, posées dans le sens de la bande. C.: six pl. d'aut. alt. d'or et de sa.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Grasser Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Grasser arms are recorded
The Grasser 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 Grasser Family in Switzerland
The family name Grasser originates from the German-speaking regions of Europe and is classified as a topographic or occupational surname. It is derived from the Middle High German word "gras," which refers to grass or grazing land. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing this name were likely farmers, herdsmen, or individuals who lived near prominent meadows or common pastures. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Bâle, which is known today as Basel, Switzerland. Records from 1745 confirm that members of the Grasser family were active participants in the social and economic life of this bustling trade hub. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the local guilds and civic organizations that defined life in the Swiss cantons. Their migration and settlement patterns reflect the broader movement of families across the Rhine Valley as they sought new opportunities in urban centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grass
A Middle High German term referring to a blade of grass or meadow.
This name
GrasserAn occupational surname for a person who worked as a mower or harvester of grass.
also spelled
Graser
Grassier
Related arms
Graservariant spelling
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 Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister der Stadt Basel, 1745
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
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
fireZeal and purification
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fireZeal and purification
