A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bourdillon family of Switzerland.
Reg. 6838 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au croiss. de gu., acc. de quatre étoiles de sa., 3 rangées en chef et 1 en p.”
SwitzerlandGenève, c. 1745
Where the Bourdillon Arms Were Recorded
Genève
Map of Switzerland showing where the Bourdillon arms are recorded
The Bourdillon arms were recorded in Genève, 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 Bourdillon Family in Switzerland
The family name Bourdillon has deep roots tied to the French-speaking regions of Europe, with a significant presence in Geneva by the mid-eighteenth century. The name itself is likely derived from a place name, as the suffix "illon" often denotes a small version of a location or a specific geographic feature in Old French. By 1745, members of the family were established as active citizens within the Republic of Geneva, a city known for its intellectual life and international trade. During this era, families with this name were often involved in the skilled crafts and merchant classes that defined the city’s economy. Their presence in Geneva suggests they were part of the broader movement of families who settled in the region to participate in its unique political and social environment. Over time, the family became a recognized part of the local community, contributing to the development of the city through their professional work and civic engagement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bord
Derived from the Old French word for a border or edge.
This name
BourdillonRefers to someone who lived near the edge of a settlement or boundary.
also spelled
Bourdillons
Bourdill
Burdiyon
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives d'État de Genève, État civil et registres de la bourgeoisie
Archives de la Ville de Genève, Registres du Conseil
Galiffe, Jacques-Auguste, Notices généalogiques sur les familles genevoises, 1829
Senebier, Jean, Histoire littéraire de Genève, 1786
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
