Messkirch

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MESSKIRCH

State : Baden-Württemberg
District (Kreis) : Sigmaringen (until 1973 Stockach)
Additions : 1936 Schnerkingen; 1971 Igelswies; 1974 Heudorf bei Messkirch, Langenhart, Menningen, Rohrdorf; 1975 Dietershofen, Rengetsweiler, Ringgenbach

Official blazon

(de) In Blau ein dreischwänziger, rot bezungter goldener Löwe, der in den Pranken einen halbkreisförmig vorgebogenen roten Schaft hält, an dem zwischen den Pranken das silberne Blatt einer Hellebarde befestigt ist.

Origin/meaning

Messkirch was already mentioned as a city in 1261 and belonged to the Waldburg family. The oldest known seal dates from the late 13^th century and shows the three lions of the arms of the family. In 1354 the Counts of Zimmern acquired the city, and the seals now shoed the arms of the Zimmern family, a lion holding an axe. Even though the family became extinct in 1594, the city continued to use the arms. The composition in the present arms is based on the seal from 1632.