Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à la croix d'arg., ch. de cinq fours (en forme de ruche) de sa.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Furno family of Switzerland.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à la croix d'arg., ch. de cinq fours (en forme de ruche) de sa.”
The Furno 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.
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.
The family name Furno is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Fribourg, Switzerland, where records confirm the family’s presence as early as 1745. The name is likely derived from the Latin word furnus, which refers to an oven or a kiln. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing this name were likely artisans or tradespeople, such as bakers or brickmakers, who played essential roles in the daily economy of their local community. During the eighteenth century, families in this region were often identified by their specific crafts, and the Furno name would have served as a clear indicator of their professional identity and social contribution. By settling in Fribourg, the family became part of a vibrant cultural crossroads where German and French influences met, allowing them to establish deep roots that spanned generations. Over time, the name evolved from a simple occupational description into a lasting family legacy that reflects the industrious nature of those early Swiss settlers.
Latin term for an oven, kiln, or furnace.
