A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Wirt family of Switzerland.
Reg. 2061 · Swiss, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Taillé d'arg. sur gu.; à un rosier tigé et feuillé de sin., posé sur une terrasse du même et fleuri de trois pièces mal-ordonnées, dont celle à sen. d'arg. posée sur le gu. et les deux autres de gu. posées sur l'arg. C.: les meubles de l'écu. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Wirt arms are recorded
The Wirt arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Wirt Family in Switzerland
The name Wirt is deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly within the historic Swiss canton of Bern. During the mid-eighteenth century, families bearing this name were well-established in the area, often associated with the skilled trades and agricultural life that defined the local economy. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German word *wirt*, which translates to a host, landlord, or innkeeper. This suggests that early ancestors likely operated local taverns or guesthouses, serving as central figures in their community by providing food and lodging to travelers. By 1745, records confirm that the Wirt family was integrated into the social fabric of Bern, likely participating in the local guilds or civic duties that were common for families of that era. Their presence in the region reflects the broader movement of families who maintained deep ties to their local parishes and trade organizations throughout the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wirt
Derived from the Middle High German word for host or innkeeper.
This name
WirtAn occupational surname historically given to someone who managed an inn or tavern.
also spelled
Wirt
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Kirchgemeinde Bern (1745)
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Burgerrodel der Stadt Bern
Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Familiennamen (1957)
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.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
