A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Châtel family of Switzerland.
Reg. 9151 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à une tour d'arg.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à une gerbe d'or. C.: une tour d'arg.”
SwitzerlandMorges, c. 1745
Where the Châtel Arms Were Recorded
Morges
Map of Switzerland showing where the Châtel arms are recorded
The Châtel arms were recorded in Morges, 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 Châtel Family in Switzerland
The surname Châtel is a topographic name that originated in the French-speaking regions of Europe, specifically referring to someone who lived near a castle or a fortified manor. The word itself comes from the Old French term chastel, which evolved from the Latin word castellum. By the time the family was firmly established in the town of Morges in 1745, the name was already well-integrated into the local social fabric of the Vaud region in Switzerland. During the eighteenth century, families in this area were often deeply connected to the agricultural and mercantile life of the Lake Geneva shoreline. The presence of the Châtel name in Morges during this period suggests that the family were likely established citizens who contributed to the local community through trade, craftsmanship, or land management. As the family grew, they became a permanent part of the historical record in this lakeside town, reflecting the broader patterns of settlement and movement in the Swiss cantons.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
castellum
A Latin term referring to a fort, castle, or fortified place.
This name
ChâtelRefers to someone who lived near or worked at a castle or fortified manor.
also spelled
Chastel
Chastell
Shatel
Related arms
Martorellsame arms
Castelletsimilar arms
Castellonsimilar arms
Chastelvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives cantonales vaudoises. État civil et registres paroissiaux de Morges. 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
