A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chappelear family of Switzerland.
Reg. 0964 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
churchFaith, and the endowment of a house of God
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 à une chapelle d'arg. essorée de gu., la tour couverte d'un dôme du même, posée sur une terrasse de sin. et acc. en chef de deux étoiles d'or. Brl. d'azur et d'arg. C.: deux clés de sa., passées en saut. L.: d'arg. et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Chappelear arms are recorded
The Chappelear arms were recorded in Bâle, 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 Chappelear Family in Switzerland
The family name Chappelear is rooted in the French-speaking regions of Europe, with historical evidence placing early members of the family in the city of Bâle, Switzerland, by 1745. The name is believed to be a variation of the French word "chapelain," which historically referred to a person who served as a chaplain or worked within a chapel. During the eighteenth century, families often moved across borders in search of new opportunities, and the presence of the Chappelear name in Bâle suggests a connection to the professional or religious classes of that era. As these individuals migrated, the spelling of the name likely evolved to match the phonetic patterns of the regions where they settled. This transition from a professional title to a hereditary surname reflects the broader social changes occurring in Europe during the Enlightenment period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Capella
Latin for a small chapel or a little goat.
This name
ChappelearDerived from a topographic name for someone living near a small chapel or shrine.
also spelled
Capeler
Cappeller
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse der Stadt Basel, 1745
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
churchFaith, and the endowment of a house of God
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
churchFaith, and the endowment of a house of God
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
