A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grosset family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5567 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
lampLearning, watchfulness and light in darkness
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'azur à une roue d'arg., accostée de deux chandelles du même, allumées aussi d'arg.; au chef d'or, ch. d'une aigle de sa.”
SwitzerlandFribourg, c. 1745
Where the Grosset Arms Were Recorded
Fribourg
Map of Switzerland showing where the Grosset arms are recorded
The Grosset arms were recorded in Fribourg, 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 Grosset Family in Switzerland
The family name Grosset is deeply rooted in the history of the Fribourg region, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1745. The name itself is derived from the French word gros, which often served as a descriptive nickname for a person of large stature or a significant physical presence. In the social landscape of eighteenth-century Switzerland, families like the Grossets were frequently integrated into the local agricultural and artisanal economies that defined the cantonal life of Fribourg. As the family grew, they became part of the long-standing tradition of Swiss citizenship, which was tightly linked to specific municipalities and local parishes. By maintaining their presence in this region, the Grossets participated in the slow evolution of Swiss society, moving from small-scale rural life toward the more structured community roles that characterized the pre-industrial era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. nine trefoils in cross vert”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Grosset Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Grosset arms are recorded
The Grosset arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Switzerland when the Grosset arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Grosset Family in Scotland
The Grosset family name has a distinct presence in the historical records of Scotland, particularly within the urban landscape of Edinburgh during the mid-eighteenth century. By 1748, members of the family were firmly established in the city, participating in the professional and social life of the Scottish capital during a period of significant cultural growth. The name itself is believed to be of French origin, likely derived from a descriptive term meaning large or thick, which suggests that the family may have migrated to Scotland from the continent before integrating into the local population. Over time, the family became woven into the fabric of Scottish society, moving away from their immigrant roots to become recognized figures in the legal and mercantile sectors of Edinburgh. Their presence in city archives during this era reflects the broader movement of families who sought new opportunities in Scotland’s growing trade centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grossus
Latin term meaning thick, large, or coarse in size.
This name
GrossetA diminutive form referring to someone of large stature or a big person.
also spelled
Grosseth
Grossette
Grosseta
Grosay
Grosat
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État de Fribourg, Registres paroissiaux de la ville de Fribourg, 1745
Histoire de Fribourg, Dictionnaire historique et biographique de la Suisse, 1921
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
lampLearning, watchfulness and light in darkness
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
lampLearning, watchfulness and light in darkness
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
