A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Galley family of Switzerland.
Reg. 0012 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé, d'azur à la croix latine d'or, accostée de deux étoiles du même, sur gu. au chev. d'or, la croix et le chev. réunis.”
SwitzerlandFribourg, c. 1745
Where the Galley Arms Were Recorded
Fribourg
Map of Switzerland showing where the Galley arms are recorded
The Galley 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 Galley Family in Switzerland
The family name Galley has deep roots in the region of Fribourg, Switzerland, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1745. The name is likely topographical or occupational in origin, often linked to the historical term for a type of ship or a specific style of boat used on inland waterways. In the context of the Swiss cantons, families often gained prominence through local trade, agriculture, or service to the regional government. By the mid-18th century, the Galley family was well-integrated into the social fabric of Fribourg, participating in the community life that defined this historic city. Over generations, the family name became a permanent fixture in local civil and parish registers, reflecting a stable presence in the Alpine landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Galle
Derived from the Old French word for a ship or galley.
This name
GalleyAn occupational name for a sailor or someone who worked on a galley.
also spelled
Galle
Gally
Galay
Related arms
Gallevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État de Fribourg, Registres paroissiaux de la ville de Fribourg
Archives de l'État de Fribourg, Fonds de la Bourgeoisie de Fribourg
Godet, Marcel, Dictionnaire historique et biographique de la Suisse, 1921
Python, Francis, Histoire du canton de Fribourg, 1981
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
