A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grison family of France.
Reg. 3184 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'arg. au chev. dentelé d'azur, acc. en chef de deux étoiles du même et en p. d'une cigogne au nat., tenant en son bec une couleuvre au nat. et posée sur une terrasse de gu.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1726
Where the Grison Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Grison arms are recorded
The Grison arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1726.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Grison arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Grison Family in France
The family name Grison has deep roots in the historical region of Lorraine, where members of the family were documented as early as 1726. The name is likely derived from the French word "gris," meaning gray, which was often used as a nickname for someone with gray hair or someone who wore gray clothing. During the eighteenth century, Lorraine was a vibrant duchy known for its unique culture and its transition toward becoming part of the French kingdom. Families like the Grisons often lived in rural villages or small towns, working as farmers, artisans, or local tradespeople. Because Lorraine served as a crossroads for trade and migration in Europe, the Grison name spread through the region as families moved to find work or settle on new land. By maintaining a presence in this area, the early Grisons contributed to the social fabric of a region that was constantly changing due to shifting political borders and economic growth.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gris
A color term derived from Old French meaning gray.
This name
GrisonA descriptive nickname for someone with gray hair or wearing gray clothing.
also spelled
Grizon
Grisson
Gryson
Related arms
Grissonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1726
Bouteiller, Ernest de, Dictionnaire topographique de l'ancien département de la Moselle, 1868
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
