A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rinehart family of Switzerland.
Reg. 6507 · Swiss, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
foxWit and wisdom in defence
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“D'azur à un renard d'or, courant sur une terrasse de sin., la tête retournée et levée vers un soleil d'or, mouv. du canton sen. du chef; à la bord. d'arg.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Switzerland showing where the Rinehart arms are recorded
The Rinehart 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 Rinehart Family in Switzerland
The family name Rinehart originates from the Germanic roots of "Ragin," meaning counsel, and "Hard," meaning brave or hardy. This combination suggests that early ancestors were likely viewed as strong advisors or courageous leaders within their communities. By 1745, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the region of Bern, Switzerland. During this period, the family lived in a landscape defined by strict social structures and the influence of the Reformed Church. Many individuals with this surname were likely involved in agriculture or skilled trades, which were the primary ways families sustained themselves in the Swiss cantons during the eighteenth century. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Bernese society, contributing to the cultural and economic life of the city before many eventually migrated to other parts of Europe and North America.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ragin-hardu
Derived from Germanic elements meaning counsel and hardy or brave.
This name
RinehartA surname signifying a person who is strong in counsel or advice.
also spelled
Rinehart
Rinhart
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
State Archives of the Canton of Bern, Kirchenbücher des Kantons Bern, 1745
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: 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.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
foxWit and wisdom in defence
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
foxWit and wisdom in defence
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
