A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Locher family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 2663 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de sa. à la bande d'or, ch. d'un rocher de trois coupeaux au nat., mouv. du bord inférieur de la bande; aux 2 et 3 fuselé en bande d'or et de sa. Cq. cour. C.: un buste d'homme, hab. de sa., au rabat d'or, coiffé d'un chapeau pyramidal de sa., retr. d'or, sommé d'une boule du même; entre un vol, l'aile dextre aux armes du 1, l'aile sen. aux armes du 2.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Locher arms are recorded
The Locher arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Locher 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 Locher Family in Germany
The surname Locher is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally used to describe the specific location where a person lived. In the German language, the root word "Loch" translates to a hole, a hollow, or a ravine. During the Middle Ages, people often adopted surnames based on the landscape features near their homes. Families who lived near a valley or a sunken area of land were frequently identified by their neighbors as people from the "Loch." By the time the name was well-established in the Bavarian region by 1765, it had become a permanent family identifier passed down through generations. This naming tradition reflects how rural communities in southern Germany organized themselves around the natural geography of the countryside. As the family grew and moved, the name remained a link to the specific terrain of their ancestral home.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à la fasce d'arg., acc. de trois étoiles d'or. C.: une étoile d'or. L. d'or et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Locher arms are recorded
The Locher 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 Locher Family in Switzerland
The surname Locher is deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, where it functioned as a topographic name for families living near a "Loch," which translates to a hole, a hollow, or a narrow valley. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Basel. Records confirm that members of the Locher family were active citizens in Basel by 1745, participating in the city's vibrant trade and civic life during a period of significant economic growth. As the family settled into urban life, they became integrated into the local social structures that defined Basel as a center of commerce and learning. Over time, the name spread from these early mountain and valley settlements into the heart of Swiss cities, reflecting the broader movement of families seeking stability and opportunity in the expanding urban centers of the Swiss Confederation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à une ruste d'azur, percée de gu. C.: la ruste, entre deux cornes de buffle d'azur. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
TyrolTyrol, c. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Locher arms are recorded
The Locher arms were recorded in Tyrol, c. 1772.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Locher Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Locher arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Tyrol.
Origin & History of the Locher Family in Austria
The family name Locher is deeply rooted in the alpine landscape of Tyrol, where its origins are tied to the rugged geography of the region. In the German language, the name is derived from the word "Loch," which translates to a hole, a hollow, or a narrow mountain pass. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name likely lived near a distinct natural landmark, such as a deep valley or a rocky ravine. By the time historical records confirm their presence in Tyrol in 1772, the family had already established itself as a part of the local community. These early members were often involved in the traditional trades of the mountain provinces, such as agriculture or forestry, which allowed them to thrive in the challenging terrain of the Austrian Alps. Over generations, the name became a permanent fixture of the region, reflecting a long history of adaptation to the unique environment of western Austria.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
loch
A hole, pit, or depression in the landscape.
This name
LocherAn occupational name for someone who lived near a pit or worked in a hollow.
also spelled
Lochir
Locker
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 Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
