A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Menges family of Switzerland.
Reg. 5382 · Swiss, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 à une flèche de sa., empennée de gu., en pal, celle du 1 ayant la pointe en bas; aux 2 et 3 d'or à l'aigle de sa., bq., m. et cour. de gu., celle du 1 cont.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Menges arms are recorded
The Menges 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 Menges Family in Switzerland
The family name Menges is deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it originated as a shortened form of the medieval given name Mengis or Mengin. These names were often derived from the ancient Germanic name Meinard, which combines elements meaning strength and courage. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Bâle, which is known today as Basel, Switzerland. During this period, families with this surname were often involved in the skilled trades and merchant guilds that defined the economic life of the Rhine river valley. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the administrative and commercial growth of the region. Their migration patterns and settlement in cities like Bâle reflect the broader movement of families seeking stability and opportunity within the heart of Europe during the 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dominicus
Latin for belonging to the Lord or born on Sunday.
This name
MengesA patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of the name Dominic.
also spelled
Mengiss
Mengise
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
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister der Stadt Basel, 1745
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
