Map of Switzerland showing where the Shiner arms are recorded
The Shiner arms were recorded in Valais, 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 Shiner Family in Switzerland
The surname Shiner carries a deep connection to the rugged landscape of the Valais region in Switzerland. By the year 1745, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents within this alpine territory. The name likely evolved from local Germanic dialects, where it may have served as a descriptive term for an individual’s physical appearance or perhaps a specific trade practiced in the mountain valleys. Living in the high altitudes of the Alps, early generations of the Shiner family were likely shaped by the challenging environment, relying on agriculture and communal traditions to thrive in isolated villages. As the family grew, they became an integral part of the local social structure, contributing to the unique cultural identity that defines the Valais region to this day.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schin
A word derived from the Middle High German term for beautiful.
This name
ShinerAn occupational or descriptive surname referring to a person who is beautiful or bright.
also spelled
Schyner
Schinner
Sheener
Shiner
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État du Valais, Registres paroissiaux (Parish registers)
Archives de l'État du Valais, Recensements de la population (Population censuses)
Guex, André, Histoire du Valais, 1972
Zufferey, François, Noms de famille du Valais, 1995
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
