Map of France showing where the Würtz arms are recorded
The Würtz arms were recorded in Strasbourg, c. 1663.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Würtz arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Würtz Family in France
The history of the Würtz family in France is deeply tied to the unique cultural landscape of the Alsace region. By the time the family was documented in Strasbourg in 1663, the city had recently transitioned from the influence of the Holy Roman Empire to French control. The name itself is rooted in the Germanic linguistic traditions common to the Upper Rhine valley, where it often functioned as a descriptive term for someone who worked with herbs or spices. Living in a major crossroads city like Strasbourg, the early Würtz family members likely navigated a society that blended French administrative authority with traditional Alsatian customs. This period was marked by significant social and religious shifts, as the region adjusted to the policies of the French crown while maintaining its historical connections to the German-speaking territories. Through their presence in the city records of the mid-seventeenth century, the family stands as a testament to the long-standing integration of families across the fluid borders of eastern France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à un senestrochère, arm. de sa., lisé d'or, la main de carn. tenant un sabre d'arg., garni d'or.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Würtz arms are recorded
The Würtz 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 Würtz Family in Switzerland
The family name Würtz has deep roots in the Swiss region, with historical records confirming their presence in the city of Bern by 1745. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German word *wurz*, which translates to a plant, root, or herb. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were likely involved in agriculture, gardening, or the trade of medicinal herbs. During the eighteenth century, families in Bern were often integrated into the local guild systems, which organized citizens by their specific crafts and trades. As the Würtz family established themselves in this urban center, they became part of the social and economic fabric of the Swiss Confederation. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who transitioned from rural life to the structured environment of Swiss cities during the mid-eighteenth century.
Würtz Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wurtz
Derived from the Middle High German word for a medicinal herb.
This name
WürtzAn occupational surname for a person who gathered or sold medicinal herbs or spices.
also spelled
Wuertz
Würtzh
Würtz-Würtz
Vurtz
Wurts
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Livet, Georges. L'Intendance d'Alsace sous Louis XIV, 1648-1715. 1956
Rapp, Francis. Histoire de Strasbourg des origines à nos jours. 1987
Archives de la Ville et de l'Eurométropole de Strasbourg, 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.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
