A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gris family of Sweden.
Reg. 9825 · Swedish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à une étoile (5) de gu. C.: deux étoiles (5) accostées de gu., entre deux prob., coupées alt. d'or et de gu.”
Swedenc. 1585
Where the Gris Arms Were Recorded
Stockholm
Map of Sweden showing where the Gris arms are recorded
The Gris arms were recorded in Sweden, c. 1585.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Stockholm.
Stockholm held the Swedish court and the House of Nobility, where every noble family's arms were entered and kept. Families ennobled for service registered there, which is why so many are recorded around the city.
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 Sweden in this period.
John III of Sweden
Sovereign of the period
John III of Sweden
1568–1592
Reigning in Sweden when the Gris arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Sweden
In Sweden, a coat of arms belonged to a noble family as a whole rather than just one individual. These arms were passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants. Younger branches of the family used the same shield without needing to change it. This system ensured that the entire lineage shared the same identity and status under the law.
Granting authority
The Riddarhuset, or House of Nobility, regulated all noble coats of arms in Sweden under royal authority.
How they got arms
Families received their coats of arms through royal grants of nobility which were then officially registered with the House.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Swedish House of Nobility register starting in the year 1626.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Sweden.
Origin & History of the Gris Family in Sweden
The family name Gris is deeply rooted in the history of Stockholm, with records confirming the presence of family members in the city as early as 1585. During this period, Stockholm was a bustling center of trade and political activity, and the name likely emerged as a descriptive identifier within the urban population. In the Swedish language, the word gris translates to pig, which was a common way to nickname individuals based on their physical traits, their occupation, or their connection to livestock farming. As surnames became more permanent during the late sixteenth century, this name transitioned from a simple nickname into a formal family designation. By establishing themselves in the capital, the early members of the Gris family became part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that helped shape the city during the Swedish Renaissance.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gris
Old Norse and Germanic term for a pig or swine.
This name
GrisA descriptive surname likely referring to a person who raised pigs or possessed pig-like characteristics.
also spelled
Gris
Grice
Gryce
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Riksarkivet (National Archives of Sweden), Stockholms stads tänkeböcker (1585)
Sveriges Släktforskarförbund, Svenska släktnamn: En handbok (2005)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
