Map of Switzerland showing where the Kraft arms are recorded
The Kraft 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 Kraft Family in Switzerland
The surname Kraft originates from the Middle High German word *kraft*, which translates to strength, power, or force. In the context of medieval Switzerland, this name was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person who possessed physical vigor or a commanding presence. By the time members of the family were documented in Basel in 1745, the name had long transitioned from a simple descriptor into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. During the eighteenth century, Basel served as a major center for trade and intellectual exchange, and families like the Krafts were often integrated into the local urban economy as skilled craftsmen or merchants. These early residents were part of a society that valued trade guilds and civic participation, which helped solidify their place within the city’s social structure. As the family established their roots in the region, they contributed to the steady growth of the Swiss middle class during a period of significant cultural development.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'azur, ch. de trois roses d'arg. C.: un vol aux armes de l'écu.”
GermanyRatisbonne, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Kraft arms are recorded
The Kraft arms were recorded in Ratisbonne, c. 1765.
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 Switzerland when the Kraft 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 Kraft Family in Germany
The surname Kraft originates from the Middle High German word *kraft*, which translates to strength, power, or force. During the Middle Ages, this name was often used as a nickname for a person who displayed physical vigor or a forceful personality. By the time the family established a documented presence in Ratisbonne, known today as Regensburg, in 1765, the name had been well-integrated into the social fabric of German-speaking lands for centuries. In the eighteenth century, Regensburg served as the seat of the Perpetual Diet of the Holy Roman Empire, making it a bustling center for politics and trade. Families living in this city during that era were often connected to the professional guilds or the administrative functions of the imperial government. The presence of the Kraft family in this historic city suggests they were part of the stable urban population that helped maintain the economic and civic life of the region during the transition into the modern age.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
kraft
Middle High German term denoting physical strength or power.
This name
KraftA descriptive nickname for a person who was exceptionally strong or powerful.
also spelled
Craft
Kraft
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
Müller, Josef. Schweizerisches Idiotikon: Wörterbuch der schweizerdeutschen Sprache. 1905
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
