Map of Switzerland showing where the Cleary arms are recorded
The Cleary arms were recorded in Fribourg, 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 Cleary Family in Switzerland
The family name Cleary originates from the Gaelic name Ó Cléirigh, which translates to descendant of the clerk or scholar. Historically, the family was prominent in Ireland, particularly in the province of Connacht, where they were known as a learned clan associated with literature and history. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a presence in continental Europe, as evidenced by records confirming family members were living in Fribourg, Switzerland, by 1745. This migration was often driven by the movement of Irish families seeking opportunities in military or administrative service abroad during a time of political instability at home. The presence of the family in Fribourg highlights how these individuals maintained their identity while integrating into the social and professional structures of their new European homes.
Cleary Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Clarus
Latin term meaning clear, bright, or famous.
This name
ClearyDerived from an Irish Gaelic descriptor for a clerk or a scholar.
also spelled
Clerie
Cleree
Cleary
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
State Archives of Fribourg, Registres des baptêmes, mariages et sépultures, 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
