A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ringwald family of Switzerland.
Reg. 5630 · Swiss, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
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 mur crén. d'arg., maconné de sa., occupant la moitié inférieure de l'écu, sommé de trois arbres de sin. Cq. timbré d'une couronne murale d'arg. C.: un arbre de sin. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Ringwald arms are recorded
The Ringwald 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 Ringwald Family in Switzerland
The surname Ringwald originates from the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it likely functioned as a descriptive name for individuals living near a specific woodland or a circular forest clearing. The name is composed of the Germanic roots "ring," meaning a circle or enclosure, and "wald," meaning forest or woods. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Bâle, which is known today as Basel, Switzerland. Records confirm that members of the Ringwald family were living and working in this influential trade hub by 1745. During this period, Bâle served as a vital center for commerce and craftsmanship, suggesting that early ancestors were likely integrated into the urban guilds or the local merchant class that defined the city’s economy. This geographic placement indicates that the family was part of the steady movement of people across the Upper Rhine region during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ringwald
Derived from the Middle High German words for circle and forest.
This name
RingwaldRefers to a person who lived near a circular forest or a fenced woodland area.
also spelled
Ringwalt
Related arms
Wartburgsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Familiennamen, 1957
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
