Map of Switzerland showing where the Pundt arms are recorded
The Pundt 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 Pundt Family in Switzerland
The surname Pundt is deeply rooted in the linguistic traditions of Northern Germany and the surrounding regions. The name is likely derived from the Middle Low German word "punt," which historically referred to a pound or a specific unit of weight. This suggests that early ancestors may have been merchants, traders, or officials responsible for measuring goods at local markets. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a presence in the city of Bern. Records confirm that members of the Pundt family were living and working within this Swiss urban center by 1745. During this era, families often moved across regional borders to pursue new economic opportunities or to join established trade networks. The presence of the Pundt name in Bern indicates that these early family members were integrated into the civic and social life of the city during the mid-1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Punt
A bridge or a landing place for boats.
This name
PundtAn occupational name for someone who lived near a bridge or operated a ferry.
also spelled
Pund
Pundte
Pundth
Punt
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 des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern, 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lampLearning, watchfulness and light in darkness
lampLearning, watchfulness and light in darkness
