A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Looser family of Switzerland.
Reg. 4596 · Swiss, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
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)
“D'azur à trois étoiles d'arg. C.: un homme iss., hab. d'un parti d'arg. et d'azur, au rabat de l'un en l'autre, coiffé d'un chapeau d'arg., tenant de sa main dextre un livre d'arg. et de sa sen. un sac à écus du même.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Looser arms are recorded
The Looser 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 Looser Family in Switzerland
The family name Looser is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Swiss canton of Bern. By the year 1745, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents within this region. The name itself is likely derived from the Middle High German word "los," which was often used to describe someone who lived on a specific plot of land or a clearing in the woods. During the eighteenth century, families in this area were frequently identified by their connection to the local landscape or their specific agricultural roles. As the Looser family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic life of the Bernese countryside, contributing to the local traditions and community structures that defined life in Switzerland during the late Enlightenment period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Los
A Middle High German term referring to a lot, share, or portion.
This name
LooserAn occupational surname for someone who distributed shares of land or goods.
also spelled
Loser
Related arms
Löservariant spelling
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
Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Familiennamen, 1957
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Kirchgemeinde Bern
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
