A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greth family of Switzerland.
Reg. 1687 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
foxWit and wisdom in defence
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. d'un renard pass. du champ, cour. d'or. C.: le renard, assis.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Greth Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Greth arms are recorded
The Greth 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 Greth Family in Switzerland
The Greth family name has deep roots in the region surrounding Bâle, Switzerland, where members of the family were firmly established by 1745. During the eighteenth century, families in this area were often identified by their trade or their specific village of origin within the Swiss Confederation. The name Greth likely evolved from a shortened form of a traditional Germanic given name, reflecting a common naming pattern where personal names gradually transitioned into permanent family surnames. As residents of a major hub for trade and craftsmanship, the early Greth family members were part of a society that valued skilled labor and local civic participation. Their presence in Bâle during this period suggests they were integrated into the urban life of a city known for its influence on European commerce and intellectual development. Over time, these families helped shape the local community through their work and their contributions to the social fabric of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Margareta
Derived from the Greek word for pearl.
This name
GrethA Swiss-German diminutive form of Margaret, signifying a pearl or precious gem.
also spelled
Gretherr
Grethier
Greth
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Die Schweiz und ihre Namen, 2002
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
foxWit and wisdom in defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
foxWit and wisdom in defence
