A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Wegener family of Switzerland.
Reg. 3933 · Swiss, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 d'azur à la fasce d'arg., acc. en chef de trois étoiles (6) mal-ordonnées d'or et en p. d'un tertre de trois coupeaux de sin. (Weguener); aux 2 et 3 d'azur à la fasce d'arg., au lion d'or, br. sur la fasce et tenant de ses pattes un bâton d'or en pal.”
SwitzerlandValais, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Wegener arms are recorded
The Wegener 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 Wegener Family in Switzerland
The surname Wegener is rooted in the Germanic linguistic tradition, where it functioned as an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word *waganer*. This term referred to a wagon maker or a wheelwright, which was a vital trade in rural communities that relied on horse-drawn transport for agriculture and trade. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a documented presence in the Swiss canton of Valais, specifically appearing in records by 1745. During this era, families in the Alpine regions often settled in specific valleys where their specialized skills were in high demand. The transition of the name into this region suggests a history of migration common among skilled craftsmen who moved across German-speaking territories to find work. Over time, the name became firmly embedded in the local social fabric of Valais, marking the family as a long-standing part of the regional community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wagen
A vehicle with wheels used for transport.
This name
WegenerAn occupational surname for a wagon maker or a driver of wagons.
also spelled
Wegener
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
Gottschald, Max, Deutsche Namenkunde: Unsere Familiennamen, 1971
Archives de l'État du Valais, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
