A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kuehn family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6364 · Swiss, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur chapé-ployé d'or; l'azur ch. d'une croix de Lorraine d'or, accolée d'un S du même, le tout soutenu d'un tertre de sin. C.: un homme iss., hab. d'azur, ceint et rebr. d'or, au rabat du même, coiffé d'un bonnet albanais d'azur, retr. et houppé d'or, tenant de sa main dextre un flambeau allumé au nat., la sen. appuyée sur sa hanche.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Kuehn arms are recorded
The Kuehn 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 Kuehn Family in Switzerland
The family name Kuehn, often spelled Kühn in its original form, originates from the Middle High German word *kühne*, which translates to bold or daring. By the middle of the 18th century, members of the Kuehn family were firmly established in the city of Bâle, Switzerland. During this period, Bâle served as a vital crossroads for trade and intellectual exchange in Europe. Families like the Kuehns often integrated into the local urban structure by working as skilled craftspeople or merchants. Because Bâle was a center for printing and textile manufacturing, it is likely that early ancestors contributed to the city’s reputation for industrial precision. These early residents were part of a growing class of citizens who helped shape the social and economic life of the region during the mid-1700s.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or au lion de sa.; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à un sapin de sin., posé sur une colline du même. Cq. cour. C.: le lion, iss., entre un vol coupé alt. d'or et d'arg. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de sin.”
Germanyc. 1687
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Map of Germany showing where the Kuehn arms are recorded
The Kuehn arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1687.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
1658–1705
Reigning in Switzerland when the Kuehn 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 Kuehn Family in Germany
The surname Kuehn is a shortened form of the medieval German name Konrad, which translates to "bold counsel" or "brave advisor." During the late 17th century, the name was well-established in the southern region of Bavaria. At this time, Germany was a collection of smaller territories recovering from the social and economic upheaval of the Thirty Years' War. Families like the Kuehns were typically rooted in local village life, often working as farmers, craftsmen, or tradespeople who were deeply connected to the land and their parish communities. By 1687, the name was already a fixture in Bavarian church records, which served as the primary way for families to document births, marriages, and deaths. These early ancestors lived through a period of intense religious and political transition, helping to shape the cultural identity of the region as they passed their name down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kuon
Old High German word meaning bold, brave, or daring.
This name
KuehnA nickname for a courageous or audacious individual.
also spelled
Kuhne
Koon
Kune
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
Burckhardt, August, Die Bürger von Basel, 1941
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.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
