Township of

Kyburg

The arms of Thurgau are based on the arms of the Counts of Kyburg.

The original arms of the Counts of Kyburg were in black two golden lions and a golden bend. The Counts of Kyburg were also Counts of (the) Thurgau. In 1264 Count Hartmann IV died and the possessions in Thurgau were inherited by his nephew, Rudolf of Habsburg, King of the Holy Roman Empire (now Germany). He changed the arms of Thurgau in the colours of Habsburg, red and gold (see below).

The Counts of Kyburg were the most important noble family in the Swiss plateau beside the Habsburg and the House of Savoy. After the death of the last count in 1264 Rudolph of Habsburg claimed the inheritance for his family.

The changes in the rule over Thurgau did not affect the arms until 1798, when the French conquered the area. The new government wanted to keep the old arms, but wanted it surrounded by all kinds of new symbols, such as a resting lion, a man with a Phrygian hat, and some more. The arms were never adopted, and when the new Swiss Republic regained independence it was decided in 1803 to continue the old arms.