Map of Switzerland showing where the Holzhausen arms are recorded
The Holzhausen arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Holzhausen Family in Switzerland
The name Holzhausen is a topographic surname that originated in German-speaking regions, literally translating to "house in the woods" or "wooden houses." Families carrying this name often lived in or near forested areas, which were essential for timber and fuel in the medieval period. By the mid-18th century, members of the Holzhausen family had established a presence in the city of Bern, Switzerland. Records from 1745 confirm their integration into the local community, where they likely participated in the trade and craft industries common to that urban center. As the family moved through different regions, they maintained this connection to their ancestral name, which served as a simple description of their original home or occupation in the landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Holz and Haus
Wood or timber and a dwelling or house.
This name
HolzhausenRefers to a person living in a house constructed of wood or located near a forest.
also spelled
Holzhousen
Holzhauzen
Holzhusen
Holzhouse
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
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern (Baptismal and Marriage Registers)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
