A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hintermeister family of Switzerland.
Reg. 1549 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 gu. à un petit pairle renv. d'arg. en chef, cramponné en haut à sen. et l'extrémité de chaque jambe sommée d'une petite baguette en pal; ledit pairle accosté de deux étoiles d'or; en flancs deux fers en forme de baïonnette d'arg., passés chacun dans une petite boule d'or; C.: deux bras, arm. d'arg., les coudes brassardés de gu., les mains d'arg.”
SwitzerlandWinterthur, c. 1725
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Hintermeister arms are recorded
The Hintermeister arms were recorded in Winterthur, c. 1725.
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 Hintermeister Family in Switzerland
The surname Hintermeister is a classic example of a German occupational name that reveals the social standing of its earliest bearers. In the German language, the prefix "hinter" suggests someone who lived behind or beyond a specific location, while "meister" refers to a master craftsman or a person in a position of authority. This implies that the first individuals to carry this name were likely skilled tradesmen or overseers who lived behind a central workshop or a prominent town landmark. By 1725, records confirm that the family was well-established in the Swiss city of Winterthur. During this era, families in the region were often identified by their trade or their specific neighborhood, and the Hintermeister name suggests they were respected members of the local guild system. As they settled into life in Winterthur, these early ancestors helped shape the community through their specialized work and their participation in the civic life of the growing city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hinter-Meister
Behind or back combined with a master, leader, or skilled craftsman.
This name
HintermeisterRefers to a person who lived behind the master's house or a secondary overseer.
also spelled
Hintermeister
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Winterthur, Bürgerrodel der Stadt Winterthur (1725)
Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Familiennamen (1957)
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.
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
