A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cully family of Switzerland.
Reg. 2145 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec. en saut.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à l'aigle de sa.; aux 2 et 3 bandé de gu. et d'arg., de six pièces. Sur le tout de gu. au chef d'arg.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Cully Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Cully arms are recorded
The Cully arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Cully Family in Switzerland
The family name Cully has deep roots in the historical records of Switzerland, specifically within the canton of Bern. By the year 1745, members of the family were already established residents in this region, where they participated in the social and economic life of the Swiss Confederation. The name is often associated with the French-speaking areas of Switzerland, particularly the town of Cully located on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is likely that the family name originated as a topographic surname, identifying early ancestors who either lived in or migrated from this picturesque lakeside settlement. As these individuals moved toward the German-speaking administrative center of Bern, they maintained their distinct identity while integrating into the local community. Through the mid-18th century, the family functioned as part of the growing middle class, contributing to the agricultural and civic development of the Bernese landscape during a period of significant regional stability.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cullier
Derived from the Old French word for a spoon or ladle.
This name
CullyAn occupational surname for a maker or seller of spoons or wooden utensils.
also spelled
Culli
Cullie
Kuli
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern
Archives cantonales vaudoises, Registres paroissiaux de la commune de Cully
Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, 2002
Godet, Marcel, Dictionnaire historique & 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.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
