A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gschwind family of Switzerland.
Reg. 0355 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
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'or à un ours naiss. au nat., coll. et enchaîné du premier. Cq. cour. C.: l'ours iss. [Comp. Ottenfels dit Gschwind.]”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Gschwind Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Gschwind arms are recorded
The Gschwind 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 Gschwind Family in Switzerland
The surname Gschwind originates from the German-speaking regions of Europe and carries a meaning rooted in speed and agility. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "geswint," which translates to quick, swift, or nimble. Historically, this name likely began as a descriptive nickname for a person known for their fast pace or energetic nature. By the year 1745, records confirm that members of the Gschwind family were well-established in the city of Basel, Switzerland. During this period, the family was integrated into the local urban society, likely participating in the trade and craft guilds that defined the economic life of the city. As the family grew, they became a recognized part of the regional landscape, carrying a name that reflected the dynamic character of their ancestors.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
geschwind
Middle High German term meaning quick, swift, or agile.
This name
GschwindA descriptive nickname for a person who was notably fast or nimble.
also spelled
Gschwindt
Gschwend
Schwind
Gshwind
Related arms
Schwindvariant 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 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.
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
