A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Schwarber family of France.
Reg. 2983 · French, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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'arg. à la croix de gu., cant. de quatre aigles de sa. C.: un écran octogone échancré, aux armes de l'écu, chaque angle orné d'une plume de paon au nat.”
FranceStrasbourg, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Schwarber arms are recorded
The Schwarber arms were recorded in Strasbourg, c. 1663.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Schwarber arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Schwarber Family in France
The surname Schwarber is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Upper Rhine region, particularly within the city of Strasbourg. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a documented presence in this vibrant cultural hub, as evidenced by records dating back to 1663. The name itself is likely derived from the Middle High German word "swar," which relates to the concept of being heavy, serious, or perhaps even dark in appearance. During this era, Strasbourg served as a critical crossroads for trade and intellectual exchange between Germanic and French influences. Families like the Schwarbers were part of a resilient urban population that navigated the complex political shifts of the Holy Roman Empire. Their presence in the city archives suggests they were integrated into the local community, likely participating in the skilled trades or merchant guilds that defined the economic life of the region during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schwarz
A German adjective meaning black or dark-colored.
This name
SchwarberAn occupational surname for a person who worked as a black-dyer or a dark-haired individual.
also spelled
Schwarbere
Schwarbers
Schwarberer
Shvarber
Related arms
Montoyasimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de la Ville et de l'Eurométropole de Strasbourg, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Bach, Adolf, Deutsche Namenkunde, 1952
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1925
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