A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bogdan family of Switzerland.
Reg. 7159 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au senestrochère, arm. d'or, mouv. du flanc, tenant un maillet d'or en pal et acc. en p. d'un tertre de sin. C.: le senestrochère, mouv. du brl. et brandissant le maillet.”
SwitzerlandBerne, c. 1745
Where the Bogdan Arms Were Recorded
Berne
Map of Switzerland showing where the Bogdan arms are recorded
The Bogdan arms were recorded in Berne, c. 1745.
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 Bogdan Family in Switzerland
The name Bogdan is rooted in Slavic origins, where it translates to "given by God" or "God’s gift." While the name is widely distributed across Eastern Europe, its presence in the Swiss city of Berne by 1745 suggests a fascinating migration pattern. During the 18th century, families often moved across borders for trade, military service, or religious reasons. Settling in a German-speaking region like Berne required the family to adapt to a new cultural and linguistic environment while maintaining their distinct ancestral identity. By the mid-1700s, individuals bearing this name were integrated into the local community, likely contributing to the city’s vibrant life as craftsmen, merchants, or civic members. This transition from a Slavic linguistic tradition to a Swiss urban setting highlights the mobility of families during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bogdan
Derived from Slavic elements meaning god and given.
This name
BogdanA name signifying a gift from God or god-given.
also spelled
Bogdahn
Bogdann
Bogdane
Related arms
Barbanègresimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern (Church registers of the city of Berne)
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Burgerrodel der Stadt Bern (Citizenship registers of the city of Berne)
Moser, Beat, Die Berner Familiennamen: Herkunft und Verbreitung, 1994
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
