Map of Switzerland showing where the Hermes arms are recorded
The Hermes arms were recorded in Valais, 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 Hermes Family in Switzerland
The family name Hermes has deep roots in the mountainous region of Valais, Switzerland, where records confirm ancestors were settled as early as 1745. The name itself is likely linked to the ancient Greek messenger god, Hermes, which suggests that early bearers may have held roles as messengers, travelers, or merchants. In the context of the Alpine communities of the eighteenth century, families often lived in tight-knit groups focused on agriculture and trade. Because the Valais region served as a vital crossroads for mountain passes connecting northern and southern Europe, the Hermes family would have been positioned in a dynamic area defined by constant movement and cultural exchange. Over generations, the family became a permanent part of the local social fabric, contributing to the unique traditions and history of the Swiss Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hermes
Derived from the Greek word for a stone heap or cairn.
This name
HermesRefers to the messenger of the gods or one who interprets divine messages.
also spelled
Erens
Herense
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives of Valais (Staatsarchiv Wallis), Zivilstandsregister (Civil Status Registers)
Parish Archives of Valais (Pfarrarchiv), Tauf- und Heiratsregister (Baptismal and Marriage Registers)
Armand Brulhart and Erica Deuber-Pauli, Arts et monuments: Valais, 1991
Jean-Pierre Anderegg, Die Bauernhäuser des Kantons Wallis, 1989
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
ramLeadership and authority
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
ramLeadership and authority
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
