Meiss (noble family)

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Coat of arms of those of Meiß
Zurich , junction of Hirschengraben, Kirchgasse and Obere Fences: the “stone house”, residential tower of the knight families Manesse (13th century) and von Meiss (1401–1799).
Coats of arms of the Escher vom Luchs and Meiss on the fountain tower in Zurich

Meiss (also Meiß ) is the name of an old Swiss noble family . The Lords of Meiss were among the oldest patrician families in the former free imperial city of Zurich .

history

The family was first mentioned in a document in 1225 with Waltherus Meisa in Zurich. His descendants soon belonged to the city ​​council and the exclusive societies of the “Schildner zum Schneggen” and the “Aristocratic Stube zum Rüden ” in the old imperial city.

From the middle of the 14th century, relatives carried the Junk title , for example in 1366 the "[...] fromb Man Jungher Heinrich Meiss" . The title was used for many generations and was only replaced by the predicate of in the 19th century . In 1675 they are expressly confirmed that their family is the oldest patriciate in the city and has been considered a true nobility for several centuries in the Holy Roman Empire and Zurich. Numerous members of the family have distinguished themselves in the service of the city of Zurich, so that their gender was one of the most frequently represented in the city regiment. The most important council member was the future mayor Heinrich Meiss (term of office from 1393 to 1427).

Some of his descendants became Zurich bailiffs , who at the end of the 16th century also acquired extensive property in the Zurich area. In 1600 the rule of Teufen (until 1836), 1606 Wetzikon (until 1755) and 1634 Wülflingen (until 1734) came into family ownership . They managed their estates like the landed gentry, but never lost touch with their hometown.

The gender, which was very widespread up to the 17th century, still exists in branches today.

coat of arms

The family coat of arms (oldest seal from 1366) shows a red bar in gold , accompanied by three (2: 1) black eagles. On the crowned helmet a wing with the shield image. The helmet covers are black and gold.

Name bearer

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Zurich Document Book I, 308

literature

Web links