Map of Germany showing where the Schirmer arms are recorded
The Schirmer arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Schirmer arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Schirmer Family in Germany
The surname Schirmer originated in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe as a descriptive occupational name. It is derived from the Middle High German word "schirmen," which means to protect or to fence. Historically, this name was given to individuals who worked as professional guards, watchmen, or fencing masters. By the time members of the family were documented in Bavaria in 1765, the name had become well-established among the local population. During this period, families often lived in small agricultural communities or trade-focused towns where their surnames reflected the essential services they provided to the village. As the family grew, they integrated into the social and economic fabric of the Bavarian landscape, transitioning from their ancestral roles into various trades and crafts that supported the growth of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
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)
“D'or à un serpent de sa., tourné en volute, cour. d'or. C.: un demi-vol, aux armes de l'écu.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Schirmer arms are recorded
The Schirmer 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 Schirmer Family in Switzerland
The surname Schirmer finds its roots in the Middle High German word *schirmen*, which means to protect or to defend. Historically, this name was often given to people who worked as guards, watchmen, or fencing masters. By the time the family was documented in Bern in 1745, the name had already established itself as a part of the local social fabric. In the Swiss context, families with this name were often integrated into the craft guilds and civic life of the city. Because Bern was a center of political and economic power during the eighteenth century, the Schirmer family likely participated in the trade networks or administrative duties that defined the region. Over generations, the name transitioned from a description of a person’s occupation into a permanent family identifier that linked them to the mountainous landscape and urban centers of the Swiss Confederation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schirm
A protective covering, shield, or shelter.
This name
SchirmerAn occupational name for a shield maker or a guard who provided protection.
also spelled
Schyrmer
Shirmer
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
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kurbayern Hofkammer, Steuer- und Rechnungsunterlagen, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
