Oftringen

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OFTRINGEN

Canton : Aargau

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The use of the crescents in the arms is known for several centuries, but probably is derived from the wrong Lords of Oftringen. The Swiss village of Oftringen was ruled by Lords of the same name, who, supposedly, used three crescents in their arms. However, no historical proof thereof exists.

The arms most likely were derived from the Lords of Oftringen who lived at the castle of the same name, at present in the Waldshut district in Germany. They settled in Schaffhausen in the 16^th century and used three silver crescents in red. This family had nothing to do with the Swiss Oftringen. Most likely in the 17th or 18^th century their arms were mistaken for the arms of the village lords and taken by the village. The arms have been used in the above colours since the creation of the Aargau canton in 1803.