Map of Switzerland showing where the Oman arms are recorded
The Oman 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 Oman Family in Switzerland
The surname Oman has deep roots in the historical records of Switzerland, particularly within the city of Bern. By the year 1745, members of the family were already established residents of the region, contributing to the local community as tradespeople and citizens. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a locational identifier, which was a common practice for naming families in the German-speaking cantons during the late Middle Ages and the early modern period. As the family grew, they integrated into the social and economic fabric of Bern, often appearing in municipal registers that tracked births, marriages, and property ownership. These early records suggest that the Oman family was part of the stable middle class that helped sustain the city’s development throughout the eighteenth century.
Oman Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Audo
Old High German element meaning wealth, fortune, or prosperity.
This name
OmanA topographic or habitational name derived from a person associated with wealth or ancestral lands.
also spelled
Oman
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, 2002
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern, 1745
Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz, 1989
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
