Map of Switzerland showing where the Walz arms are recorded
The Walz 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 Walz Family in Switzerland
The family name Walz is rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it originated as a descriptive nickname. It is derived from the Middle High German word "walzen," which means to roll, revolve, or wander. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name may have been known for their rhythmic movements, perhaps as dancers, or for their status as traveling tradespeople. By the mid-18th century, the family established a notable presence in the city of Bâle, which is known today as Basel, Switzerland. Records from 1745 confirm that members of the Walz family were active participants in the local community during this period. As the family grew, they integrated into the social and economic life of the region, contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of the Rhine valley.
Walz Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Walther
Derived from Germanic elements meaning ruler of the army.
This name
WalzA patronymic surname originating as a short form of names beginning with the element walh.
also spelled
Wals
Walts
Waltz
Related arms
Weltzsimilar arms
Walsvariant spelling
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
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister der Stadt Basel, 1745
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roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
