A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Charvet family of Switzerland.
Reg. 2571 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un rosier de sin., fleuri de trois pièces mal-ordonnées de gu. et accosté de deux lions affr. du même, ramp. contre le rosier; le tout soutenu d'un tertre de trois coupeaux du sec.”
SwitzerlandValais, c. 1745
Where the Charvet Arms Were Recorded
Valais
Map of Switzerland showing where the Charvet arms are recorded
The Charvet arms were recorded in Valais, 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 Charvet Family in Switzerland
The surname Charvet finds its historical roots in the rugged Alpine regions of southeastern France and western Switzerland. The name is believed to be a topographical descriptor, likely derived from the old French word "charve," which refers to a rocky or barren piece of land. This suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or mountain dwellers who lived on or near such terrain. By the mid-18th century, the family established a firm presence in the Valais region of Switzerland, a mountainous area known for its isolated valleys and strong local traditions. Records confirm that members of the Charvet family were living in this area by 1745, where they contributed to the agricultural and social development of their mountain communities. Over time, the family name became deeply woven into the local culture of the Valais, reflecting a long history of resilience and adaptation to the challenging landscape of the high Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Carvus
Latin term referring to a stag or deer.
This name
CharvetA topographic name for someone living near a clearing or a place frequented by stags.
also spelled
Charvett
Charve
Charvete
Sharvay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Marianne Mulon, Origine et histoire des noms de famille, 2002
Archives de l'État du Valais, Registres paroissiaux et état civil
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mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
