Map of Switzerland showing where the Hochstrasser arms are recorded
The Hochstrasser 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 Hochstrasser Family in Switzerland
The surname Hochstrasser is a topographical name that describes where a person lived. In German, the name translates to someone who lived near a high road or a main thoroughfare. During the early eighteenth century, the family established a firm presence in the Swiss city of Winterthur. Records confirm that members of the Hochstrasser family were living and working there by 1725. At that time, Winterthur was an important center for trade and craftsmanship. Families with this name often held positions as skilled artisans or merchants who benefited from the steady flow of travelers moving along the major roads connected to the city. This connection to the local infrastructure likely helped the family integrate into the social and economic life of the region during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hoch Strasse
High or elevated road or path.
This name
HochstrasserRefers to someone who lived near or worked on a high-altitude road.
also spelled
Hockstrasser
Hochstraser
Hochstrasserer
Hokstraser
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Winterthur, Bürgerrodel der Stadt Winterthur
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Winterthur
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Zürcher, Walter, Die Familiennamen der Stadt Winterthur, 1952
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
