A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grieb family of Switzerland.
Reg. 4531 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 la bande de sa., ch. de trois roses du champ. Cq. cour. C.: une tête et col de cerf d'arg., cour. d'or, ramée de sa.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Grieb Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Grieb arms are recorded
The Grieb 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 Grieb Family in Switzerland
The family name Grieb has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, with historical records confirming the presence of family members in the city of Bâle, Switzerland, by the year 1745. The name is generally categorized as a descriptive surname, likely originating from Middle High German terms related to physical traits or specific occupations common in rural communities. During the eighteenth century, families with this name were often integrated into the local guild systems and civic life of the Upper Rhine region, which served as a major crossroads for trade and migration. As members of the family moved through these territories, they maintained strong ties to their local parishes and professional guilds, which helped preserve their identity across generations. The presence of the Grieb family in Bâle during this period reflects the broader patterns of movement and social stability found among skilled middle-class families in the Swiss and German borderlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Griebel
A diminutive form derived from the Middle High German word for grabbing.
This name
GriebRefers to a person who is grasping, greedy, or physically quick and agile.
also spelled
Griebb
Griebe
Greeb
Related arms
Rosenweilsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Basel
Brechenmacher, Josef Karlmann, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Familiennamen, 1957
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1933
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
