Forchheim

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FORCHHEIM

State : Bayern
District (Kreis) : Forchheim
Additions : 1978 Buckenhofen, Burk, Kersbach, Reuth

Official blazon
German	In Rot übereinander zwei silberne Fische.
English	No blazon/translation known. Please click here to send your (heraldic !) blazon or translation

Origin/meaning

Forchheim received city rights before 1250. The oldest seal of the city is known since the late 13^th century and already shows a shield with two fish. The fish are likely trout, as the city name was thought to be derived from Forchen (from Forellen or trout).

The second seal of the city, from 1307.

The arms in a 16th century manuscript

The arms remained unchanged until 1559, when several wavy bars were added. In a 17^th century seal the letter V (from Vorchheim) was added between the fish. Otherwise all seals and images show the fish.

The colour of the shield is known as red since 1555, except for the early 19^th century when the shield was blue, the colour of Bayern. On some images from the 16th to 18^th century the shield is shown divided from red and gold.