A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bellerive family of Switzerland.
Reg. 6568 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
helmetWisdom and security in defence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Palé d'arg. et d'azur; à la fasce d'or, br. sur le tout et ch. de trois casques du sec., tarés de trois quarts, la visière baissée.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Bellerive Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Bellerive arms are recorded
The Bellerive 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 Bellerive Family in Switzerland
The name Bellerive originates from the French language and translates to beautiful river or beautiful shore. While the name carries a distinct French linguistic root, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of Bern, Switzerland, by 1745. During the eighteenth century, Bern served as a significant center for trade and administration, attracting families who often moved across linguistic borders for professional or social opportunities. The presence of the Bellerive family in this region suggests they were part of the mobile population that navigated the cultural landscape between French-speaking territories and the German-speaking capital of the Swiss Confederacy. By settling in Bern, the family likely integrated into the local urban society while maintaining a name that reflected their ancestral connection to the scenic waterways of their origins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bellus Ripa
Latin for beautiful bank or shore.
This name
BelleriveRefers to a person living near a beautiful riverbank or scenic shoreline.
also spelled
Belerive
Beleriv
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, 2002
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern, 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
helmetWisdom and security in defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
helmetWisdom and security in defence
