A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chervin family of Switzerland.
Reg. 1511 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'or à une échelle de quatre échelons d'azur, posée en bande, aboutissante dans les cantons de l'écu, et trois étoiles (6) de gu., posées entre les échelons; ladite échelle acc. de deux croiss. de gu., l'une versée et posée en bande au canton dextre de la p.; le tout acc. de deux étoiles (6) de gu., l'une posée au point du chef et l'autre en p. de l'écu. C.: un ange iss., ailé et hab. d'arg., rebr. de gu., supp. de sa main dextre une étoile (6) d'or et de sa sen. un croiss. montant du même.”
SwitzerlandNeufchâtel, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Chervin arms are recorded
The Chervin arms were recorded in Neufchâtel, 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 Chervin Family in Switzerland
The family name Chervin carries deep roots in the historical landscape of the Neuchâtel region, where records confirm the family was well-established by 1745. The name itself is likely derived from the French word "chervin," which historically referred to a type of wicker basket or a container used in agricultural work. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were likely people of the land, such as farmers or craftsmen who played an essential role in the local economy of the Jura Mountains. During the eighteenth century, life in this area centered on small village communities and specialized trades like watchmaking or viticulture. By settling in Neuchâtel, the Chervin family became part of a unique cultural crossroads where French language and Swiss traditions blended together. Over time, the family name became a permanent marker of their presence in the region, reflecting a long history of labor and community involvement that helped shape the local identity of the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cervus
Latin word meaning a stag or deer.
This name
ChervinA topographic or habitational name referring to someone living near a place frequented by deer.
also spelled
Charvinn
Charvine
Charvyn
Sharvan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État de Neuchâtel, Registres paroissiaux de l'ancien régime
Archives de l'État de Neuchâtel, Fonds de la bourgeoisie de Neuchâtel
Godet, Philippe, Histoire littéraire et sociale de Neuchâtel, 1890
Henry, Louis, Dictionnaire historique et biographique de la Suisse, 1924
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
