Frossard Coat of Arms Record & History

A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frossard family lines. Documented in 2 countries.

Reg. 9123 · German, D–F

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Frossard Arms Were Recorded

Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Frossard arms are recorded

The Frossard arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1867.

Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.

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.

Region
Bavaria
First recorded
1867

Granting Authority for the Frossard Arms

Arms of Prussian Heroldsamt
Prussian Heroldsamt Glasshouse · CC BY-SA 4.0
Authority

Prussian Heroldsamt

1706-1918

The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.

Portrait of Wilhelm I
Wilhelm I
Sovereign of the period

Wilhelm I

1861–1888

Reigning in Germany when the Frossard arms are first recorded.

How Arms Worked in Germany

Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.

Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bavaria.

Origin & History of the Frossard Family in Germany

The family name Frossard carries a distinct history that reflects the movement of people across European borders during the nineteenth century. While the name is often associated with French origins, the presence of the Frossard family in Bavaria by 1867 highlights their integration into the German-speaking lands of the time. During this era, Bavaria was a kingdom undergoing significant social and industrial shifts, and families with names like Frossard often moved into the region to pursue new economic opportunities or to escape political instability in neighboring territories. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older terms describing a person who worked with iron or metal, suggesting that early ancestors may have been skilled craftsmen or blacksmiths. By settling in Bavaria, these early family members became part of a diverse population that helped shape the local culture and economy during a period of rapid modernization in Central Europe.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Frossard Arms Were Recorded

Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Frossard arms are recorded

The Frossard 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.

Region
Bern
First recorded
1745

Granting Authority for the Frossard Arms

Arms of Cantonal and civic registers
Cantonal and civic registers
Authority

Cantonal and civic registers

14th century onwards

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 Frossard Family in Switzerland

The Frossard family name has deep roots in the historical landscape of Switzerland, particularly within the canton of Bern. By the year 1745, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents in this region. The name itself is thought to be of French origin, likely derived from the word "frosser," which refers to the act of crushing or beating, suggesting that early ancestors may have been involved in milling or textile trades. As the family integrated into Swiss society, they became part of the local administrative and social fabric of Bern. Over time, the Frossards transitioned from their original linguistic roots to become a recognized part of the Swiss-German community. Their presence in 18th-century Bern highlights a period of migration and settlement where families moved across borders to find new opportunities in the growing urban centers of the Swiss Confederation.

Related Branches & Arms

Root word
Fross

A Middle High German term referring to a frost or cold weather.

This name
FrossardA topographic or descriptive name for someone who lived in a cold area or had a cold temperament.
also spelled
Frossard
Frossarddesaug
Frossar de Sojee

Documented Sources

J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87

Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv), Generalakten des Staatsministeriums des Innern

Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1882

Kohlheim, Rosa and Volker Kohlheim, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20.000 Nachnamen, 2005

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The Frossard arms on the framed, black wood
Framed, black wood 11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
The Frossard arms on the set of 4 mugs
Set of 4 mugs Four matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
The Frossard arms on the family cap - unisex
Family cap - unisex Walnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
The Frossard coat of arms
Digital archive pack Coat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.