Editing Schaffhausen (section)

== Name ==
The town is first mentioned in 1045 as ''Villa Scafhusun''. There are at least two theories on the origin of this name:

* One relates to a mention of a "ford" across the Rhine that first occurs in 1050. This "ford" may actually refer to a ''scapha'' or [[skiff]] which was used to disembark goods coming from Constance to move them around the Rhine Falls. The name ''Scafhusun'' then arose from the ''scapha'' used at that point.<ref>
Compare: {{EB1911|noprescript=1|wstitle= Schaffhausen (town)}} "[...] in 1050 we hear of the “ford” there across the Rhine. Hence it is probable that the name is really derived from scapha, a skid, as here goods coming from Constance were disembarked in consequence of the falls of the Rhine a little below."
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* Another theory is that ''Scafhusun'' comes from ''Schaf'' (a sheep), as a ram (now a sheep) formed the ancient arms (traceable to 1049) of the town, derived from those of its founders, the counts of [[County of Nellenburg|Nellenburg]].<ref>
Compare: {{EB1911|noprescript=1|wstitle= Schaffhausen (town)}}
"Some writers, however, prefer the derivation from Schaf (a sheep), as a ram (now a sheep) formed the ancient arms of the town, derived from those of its founders, the counts of Nellenburg."
</ref>

===Coat of arms===
The [[blazon]] of the municipal [[coat of arms]] is ''Or on a Base Vert issuant from sinister a Semi Castle Argent with tower with entrance from which is issuing a Semi Ram Sable.''<ref>[http://www.fotw.us/flags/ch-sh023.html Flags of the World.com] accessed 22-December-2009</ref> The [[Canting arms|canting]] coat of arms refers to the second interpretation of the name, sheep-house.