A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grisel family of Switzerland.
Reg. 4419 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“De sa. à la fasce d'arg., acc. en chef d'une molette (6) d'or.”
SwitzerlandNeufchâtel, c. 1745
Where the Grisel Arms Were Recorded
Neufchâtel
Map of Switzerland showing where the Grisel arms are recorded
The Grisel arms were recorded in Neufchâtel, 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 Grisel Family in Switzerland
The Grisel family name has deep roots in the Neuchâtel region of Switzerland, where records confirm their presence as early as 1745. During this period, the family was likely integrated into the local agrarian or artisan economy that defined the Jura mountain landscape. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the Old French word gris, which translates to gray. This suggests that the name may have originally functioned as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor who had gray hair or wore gray clothing. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the principality, living through a time when the region was transitioning under the influence of the Prussian monarchy. By settling in this area, the Grisel family established a long-standing connection to the local community that persisted for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gris
A French term referring to the color gray.
This name
GriselA descriptive nickname for someone with gray hair or wearing gray clothing.
also spelled
Grisell
Grisele
Grizel
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État de Neuchâtel, Registres paroissiaux de Neuchâtel, 1745
Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, Familles neuchâteloises, 2010
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
