A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Golis family of Switzerland.
Reg. 8221 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
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)
“Parti: au 1 de gu. à une tête et col de lion d'or; au 2 d'or à une tour de gu., ouv. du champ, aj. de sa.”
SwitzerlandLausanne, c. 1725
Where the Golis Arms Were Recorded
Lausanne
Map of Switzerland showing where the Golis arms are recorded
The Golis arms were recorded in Lausanne, c. 1725.
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 Golis Family in Switzerland
The history of the Golis family name is rooted in the vibrant cultural landscape of the Vaud region in Switzerland. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were established residents of Lausanne, a city that served as a significant intellectual and commercial hub during the eighteenth century. At this time, Lausanne was under the administration of Bern, and families living there were often deeply integrated into the local guild systems and civic life. The name likely evolved from regional linguistic roots common to the Francophone areas of the Swiss Confederation, reflecting the daily lives of people who worked in trade or local crafts. As residents of a growing urban center, the early Golis family members would have experienced the transition of Lausanne into a major center for education and enlightenment, marking their place in the long history of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gola
A term referring to a throat, gullet, or a narrow mountain pass.
This name
GolisA topographic name for someone who lived near a narrow gorge or valley passage.
also spelled
Gaulys
Golis
Gauliss
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives cantonales vaudoises, État civil de Lausanne, Registres des baptêmes et mariages
Gavin, Louis, Histoire de Lausanne, 1948
Secrétariat de la Ville de Lausanne, Histoire de Lausanne: Époques vaudoise et bernoise, 1975
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
