A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gyger family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 4918 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à la bande d'arg., ch. de trois alérions de sa. et acc. de deux sirènes d'arg., tenant chacune un miroir du même.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Gyger Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Gyger arms are recorded
The Gyger arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Gyger arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Gyger Family in Germany
The surname Gyger is rooted in the linguistic traditions of southern Germany, where it functioned as an occupational name. In the Middle High German language, the term *gīger* referred to a person who played the fiddle or a similar stringed instrument. During the medieval period, families often adopted surnames based on their trade, and those who provided music for local festivals or courtly gatherings frequently became known by this title. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a clear presence in the Bavarian region, as evidenced by records from 1765. At this time, Bavaria was a center of agricultural and artisan life, and families like the Gygers were typically integrated into the local parish structures that governed daily existence. These early ancestors likely lived in small rural communities where their name served as a link to their ancestral profession while they navigated the social and economic shifts of the Holy Roman Empire.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé de sa. sur or; à un lion de l'un en l'autre. Cq. cour. C.: un lion iss. d'or, tenant une épée; entre un vol de sa.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Gyger Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Gyger arms are recorded
The Gyger arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Gyger Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Gyger arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Gyger Family in Austria
The family name Gyger has deep roots in the Alpine regions of Austria, particularly within the rugged landscape of Tyrol. By the late 18th century, historical records confirm that members of the Gyger family were well-established residents in this mountainous territory. The name itself is likely derived from the Middle High German word "gige," which refers to a fiddle or a stringed instrument. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name may have been professional musicians or traveling minstrels who provided entertainment in local villages. As these individuals moved through the valleys of Tyrol, the name became a permanent fixture in the region. Over time, the family transitioned from their musical origins into various roles within the local community, helping to shape the cultural and social fabric of the Austrian countryside during the 1700s.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
harpWell-tuned governance and love of music
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 un violon, posé en bande, le manche en haut, et un archet, br. en fasce, le tout au nat. C.: une corneille de sa. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Gyger Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Gyger arms are recorded
The Gyger 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 Gyger Family in Switzerland
The surname Gyger is deeply rooted in the history of German-speaking Switzerland, where it emerged as a descriptive occupational name. The name is derived from the Middle High German word *gige*, which refers to a fiddle or a similar stringed instrument. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were likely professional musicians or wandering minstrels who performed at local gatherings and festivals. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Basel. Records from 1745 confirm that members of the Gyger family were active participants in the urban life of the city, likely contributing to its reputation as a center for trade and culture. As the family grew, they integrated into the social and economic fabric of the Swiss cantons, transitioning from their musical origins into various trades and civic roles that helped define their legacy in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gige
A Middle High German term for a fiddle or stringed instrument.
This name
GygerAn occupational surname for a professional musician or a player of the fiddle.
also spelled
Gyger
Giger
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
harpWell-tuned governance and love of music
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
