A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Wirth family of Switzerland.
Reg. 9718 · 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 Wirth arms are recorded
The Wirth 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 Wirth Family in Switzerland
The surname Wirth is an ancient occupational name that originated in German-speaking regions, including Switzerland. In the Middle Ages, the word "Wirth" referred to an innkeeper or a host who provided food and lodging to travelers. Because these individuals were often central figures in their local communities, the name became a common way to identify a specific family. By 1745, records confirm that members of the Wirth family were well-established in the city of Bern. During this period, families in Bern often played active roles in the city’s trade guilds and civic life. The presence of the Wirth name in these historical records suggests that the family was integrated into the social and economic fabric of the Swiss capital long before the mid-18th century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
wirt
Middle High German term for a host, innkeeper, or landlord.
This name
WirthAn occupational surname for someone who managed an inn or provided hospitality to travelers.
also spelled
Wirt
Related arms
Werthvariant 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
State Archives of the Canton of Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern (Church Records of the City of Bern), 1745
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: 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
