A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mecke family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9479 · Swiss, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 un homme, hab. d'arg., le haut-de-chausses du même, les souliers de sa., coiffé d'un bonnet d'arg., tenant un bâton d'or. Cq.cour. C.: l'homme, iss. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Mecke Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Mecke arms are recorded
The Mecke 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 Mecke Family in Switzerland
The family name Mecke has deep roots in the city of Basel, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1745. During this period, Basel was a thriving center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Meckes often integrated into the local guild systems that governed urban life. The name likely originated as a shortened form of names like Mechthild or Meinhard, which were common in German-speaking regions during the Middle Ages. As these families settled in Swiss cities, they often took on roles as skilled artisans or merchants, contributing to the economic stability of the region. By the mid-18th century, the Mecke family was part of the growing urban population that helped shape the social and cultural landscape of Basel. Their presence in the city archives during this time highlights their transition from regional settlers to established residents within the Swiss Confederation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Parti: au 1 de gu. à la demi-aigle d'arg., mouv. du parti; au 2 d'azur à deux fleurs-de-lis d'or, l'une sur l'autre. C.: une couronne royale d'or, la croix du globe sommée d'une fleur-de-lis d'or. L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'or, à sen. d'azur et de gu.”
LivoniaLivonia, c. 1567
Where the Mecke Arms Were Recorded
Map of Poland showing where the Mecke arms are recorded
The Mecke arms were recorded in Livonia, c. 1567.
Livonia was Baltic country held by a small number of landed families who kept their estates for centuries. Land there passed down whole rather than being divided, and long unbroken tenure is what fills a register.
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
Livonia
First recorded
1567
Granting Authority for the Mecke Arms
Ennoblement by the Sejm
Author: Olek Remesz · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Poland in this period.
Sigismund II Augustus
Sovereign of the period
Sigismund II Augustus
1530–1572
Reigning in Switzerland when the Mecke arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Poland
Polish noble families shared a single coat of arms across many different surnames, creating large clans rather than individual designs. These symbols were held collectively by all members of the clan regardless of their specific family name. When a new family joined the nobility, they were adopted into an existing clan and began using that group's established shield.
Granting authority
The Sejm, which was the Polish parliament, held the power to grant noble status and the right to bear arms.
How they got arms
Families typically received their coat of arms through a formal act of ennoblement granted by the Sejm for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Crown Metrica, which served as the central archive for state documents starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Livonia.
Origin & History of the Mecke Family in Poland
The history of the Mecke family in the region of Livonia and the surrounding Polish-Lithuanian territories begins during a time of great political change in the sixteenth century. By 1567, records confirm that members of the family were established in Livonia, a territory that was then under the influence of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The name is believed to have roots in Middle Low German, likely serving as a short form of names like Meinhard or Bartholomäus. As the family moved within the borders of the Commonwealth, they integrated into the local administrative and social structures of the Baltic frontier. This period was marked by constant shifts in power between local nobility, the church, and the Polish crown, which often required families like the Meckes to adapt their loyalties and professional roles to survive. Their presence in these northern lands reflects the broader movement of merchants and officials who helped bridge the cultural gap between the German-speaking urban centers and the expanding influence of the Polish state.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Meinhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning strength and brave or hardy.
This name
MeckeA patronymic form originating as a diminutive or pet name for individuals named Meinhard.
also spelled
Mek
Mecke
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister
Frey, Andreas, Die Basler Zünfte und ihre Geschichte, 1998
Suter, Karl, Die Familiennamen der Schweiz, 1972
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
knightChivalry and service in arms
knightChivalry and service in arms
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
