A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arlaud family of Switzerland.
Reg. 8121 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à un arc, posé en fasce, acc. de trois étoiles, 2 en chef et 1 en p., cette dernière surmontant une fasce ondée, le tout d'arg.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Arlaud Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Arlaud arms are recorded
The Arlaud arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Arlaud Family in Switzerland
The Arlaud family name is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the French-speaking regions of Switzerland and eastern France. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Bern, where records confirm their residency by 1745. During this era, families with this surname were often associated with the professional classes, including skilled artisans, merchants, and members of the local administration. The name itself is thought to have evolved from regional linguistic roots, reflecting the movement of families across the borderlands between the Jura Mountains and the Swiss plateau. As they integrated into the urban life of Bern, the Arlauds became part of the complex social fabric that defined the city during the Enlightenment, contributing to the local economy and the civic development of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arnald
Derived from Germanic elements meaning eagle and power or ruler.
This name
ArlaudA patronymic form indicating descendant of the eagle ruler.
also spelled
Arlau
Arlo
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern
Archives de la Ville de Genève, Registres de la bourgeoisie
Benoît, P., Histoire des familles genevoises et vaudoises, 1922
Dubler, A. M., Die Stadt Bern im 18. Jahrhundert, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
