A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gürtler family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2443 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“De sa. à la fasce vivrée d'arg., à la bord. d'or. C.: la fasce, entre deux cornes de buffle de sa.”
AlsaceAlsace, c. 1663
Where the Gürtler Arms Were Recorded
Alsace
Map of France showing where the Gürtler arms are recorded
The Gürtler arms were recorded in Alsace, c. 1663.
Alsace lay between France and the German lands and belonged to both at different times. Its families held small estates and served whichever side ruled, and men who served in arms carried arms of their own.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Gürtler arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Alsace.
Origin & History of the Gürtler Family in France
The history of the Gürtler family in France is deeply rooted in the cultural crossroads of Alsace during the seventeenth century. By 1663, the family was already established in this region, which served as a bridge between French and Germanic influences. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German word *gurteler*, which identified a craftsman who made belts or harnesses. In the social structure of the time, this suggests that the early members of the family were skilled artisans who played a vital role in the local economy of their towns. Because Alsace experienced frequent shifts in political control during this era, the Gürtler family lived through a period of significant transition as the region became more integrated into the French kingdom. Their presence in the historical records from this time reflects the steady life of tradespeople who contributed to the development of the Alsatian community.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
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'azur à trois étoiles d'or. C.: une étoile d'or.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Gürtler Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Gürtler arms are recorded
The Gürtler 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 Gürtler Family in Switzerland
The family name Gürtler traces its roots to the German word for a belt maker, which was a skilled trade during the Middle Ages. By the time members of the family were documented in Basel in 1745, the name had already transitioned from a description of a profession into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. In the social structure of eighteenth-century Switzerland, families often settled in urban centers like Basel to participate in the city's growing guilds and merchant networks. As belt makers and leather workers, the early Gürtlers likely played a vital role in the local economy by producing essential goods for both fashion and utility. Their presence in the city records suggests they were integrated into the civic life of the region, contributing to the steady development of Basel as a hub for trade and craftsmanship.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gürtel
A belt or girdle used for fastening clothing.
This name
GürtlerAn occupational surname for a maker or seller of belts.
also spelled
Gurteler
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Barth, Médard. Handwerk und Zunftwesen im Elsass. 1976
Livet, Georges. L'Intendance d'Alsace sous Louis XIV. 1956
Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin, Série E (Registres paroissiaux et état civil)
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
