A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Droz family of Switzerland.
Reg. 1651 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'arg. à cinq annelets de gu., 2, 1 et 2, surmontant un tertre de trois coupeaux d'azur; au chef du même, ch. d'une fleur-de-lis du champ. C.: trois pl. d'aut.: de gu., d'arg. et d'azur. L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Droz Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Droz arms are recorded
The Droz 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 Droz Family in Switzerland
The Droz family name originates from the French-speaking regions of Switzerland, specifically within the Jura mountains and the surrounding cantons. The name is believed to be a variation of the old French word "dros," which was a term used to describe a person who was bold or courageous. By the mid-eighteenth century, members of the Droz family were well-established in the city of Bâle. During this period, the family became deeply integrated into the local economy and social structure of the region. Many individuals carrying this name were known for their precision and technical skill, often working in the growing industries of watchmaking and mechanical engineering that defined Swiss craftsmanship at the time. Their presence in Bâle by 1745 reflects a history of migration from the mountainous Jura districts into the urban centers of northern Switzerland, where they contributed to the city's reputation for trade and innovation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
droz
Derived from the Old French word for a fool or jester.
This name
DrozA nickname for a person who acted as a jester or a buffoon.
also spelled
Drose
Dro
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse (DHS), Droz, 2005
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister, 1745
Godet, Marcel, 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.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
