A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Prez family of Switzerland.
Reg. 1816 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'azur; au chef d'or, ch. d'un lion iss. de gu. C.: une tête et col de chien d'arg.”
SwitzerlandFribourg, c. 1745
Where the de Prez Arms Were Recorded
Fribourg
Map of Switzerland showing where the de Prez arms are recorded
The de Prez 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 de Prez Family in Switzerland
The surname de Prez originates from the French word for a meadow, suggesting that the family’s earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent field or pasture. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family established a firm presence in the Swiss city of Fribourg, where they became integrated into the local social and economic fabric. During this period, Fribourg was a center of political and religious influence, and families like the de Prezs often held roles that connected them to the regional administration or the agricultural trade of the surrounding countryside. As they settled into the city, they contributed to the unique cultural blend of the region, which was defined by its position between French and German-speaking territories. Their history reflects the broader movement of families seeking stability and opportunity within the growing urban centers of Switzerland during the late 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
pratum
A Latin term referring to a meadow or field.
This name
de PrezDerived from the Old French word for someone who lived near a meadow.
also spelled
Prez
de Pre
de Prezz
Related arms
Prezvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État de Fribourg, Registres paroissiaux (Parish registers)
Archives de l'État de Fribourg, Fonds de la bourgeoisie de Fribourg
Godet, Marcel, Dictionnaire historique et biographique de la Suisse, 1921
Morard, Nicolas, Fribourg au temps de la Réforme, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
