A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Courvoisier family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6390 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 trois coeurs d'or.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Courvoisier Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Courvoisier arms are recorded
The Courvoisier arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Courvoisier arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Courvoisier Family in France
The family name Courvoisier finds its deep roots in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France, a territory that was historically influenced by both French and Burgundian traditions. Records confirm that members of the family were established in this area by 1663, living within a landscape defined by rugged mountains and dense forests. The name itself is derived from the Old French term "courvoisier," which historically referred to a maker of leather goods or a worker who prepared hides. This suggests that the early ancestors of the family were skilled artisans who played a vital role in the local economy of their village. As they settled into the region, the family became part of the social fabric of the Comté, eventually expanding their influence from humble trade work into the broader commercial and cultural life of France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur à trois monts accostés de sin., mouv. de la ligne du coupé, acc en chef de deux étoiles d'or; au 2 d'arg. à un se-nestrochère, paré de gu., mouv. du canton sen., tenant un noeud de gu. duquel dépend une croix de cheva-lier d'or. Brl. d'azur et d'arg. C.: trois pl. d'aut., une d'arg. entre deux d'azur. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Courvoisier Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Courvoisier arms are recorded
The Courvoisier 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 Courvoisier Family in Switzerland
The Courvoisier family name originates from the French-speaking regions of Switzerland, specifically within the Jura mountains and the city of Basel. The name itself is derived from the old French term *courvoisier*, which historically referred to a person who worked as a leather dresser or a maker of cordwain. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Basel, a city known for its vibrant trade and intellectual culture. Records from 1745 confirm that members of the family were active participants in the local economy during this period. Over time, the family became deeply integrated into the Swiss social fabric, transitioning from skilled craftspeople into influential roles within the regional business and professional communities. Their movement from the Jura region to urban centers like Basel highlights the broader trend of Swiss families seeking new economic opportunities during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
curtis
Latin term referring to a courtyard, enclosure, or farmstead.
This name
CourvoisierAn occupational name for someone who worked in a courtyard or farm.
also spelled
Courvoisyer
Courvoisie
Kurvazay
Corvoisier
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Boussinot, Roger. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1980
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives départementales du Doubs, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
