A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Stecklein family of Switzerland.
Reg. 0918 · Swiss, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à un bourdon de pélerin, posé en bande, auquel est suspendu un flacon; le bourdon acc. de deux coquilles; le tout d'or; aux 2 et 3 coupé-émanché d'azur sur arg., l'azur ch. d'une fleur-de-lis d'arg.”
SwitzerlandFribourg, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Stecklein arms are recorded
The Stecklein arms were recorded in Fribourg, 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 Stecklein Family in Switzerland
The family name Stecklein is rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific trade. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "stecken," which refers to a stick or a staff, suggesting that early ancestors may have been known for carrying a walking stick or perhaps worked as makers of wooden tools. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Fribourg, which is located in the bilingual region of Switzerland. In 1745, records indicate that members of the Stecklein family were integrated into the local community, living within a society that blended Swiss traditions with strong Germanic cultural influences. During this era, families like the Steckleins often played active roles in the local economy and civic life of the city, contributing to the development of the region as it transitioned through the social changes of the Enlightenment period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Steck
A stick, staff, or small branch used as a tool or marker.
This name
SteckleinA diminutive form referring to someone who lived near a small stick-like landmark or a maker of wooden staffs.
also spelled
Stocklin
Stoklin
Stecklin
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann. Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Familiennamen. 1957
State Archives of Fribourg (Archives de l'État de Fribourg). Registres paroissiaux et documents d'état civil. 1745
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen: 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.
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
batonAuthority and office held under the crown
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
