A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grux family of Switzerland.
Reg. 2420 · Swiss, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
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. au saut. d'arg., ch. en abîme d'une losange d'or.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Grux Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Grux arms are recorded
The Grux arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Grux Family in Switzerland
The family name Grux has roots that trace back to the mid-eighteenth century within the city of Bern, Switzerland. By 1745, records confirm that members of the family were established residents of this region, which was then a powerful city-state known for its strict social order and organized record-keeping. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a local nickname that evolved into a formal surname as families began to settle into permanent urban roles. During this period, Bern was a hub of trade and political influence, and families like the Grux were often part of the growing class of citizens who contributed to the city's administrative and economic life. Because the family was present in such a well-documented city, their early history is tied to the transition of Swiss society toward more formal civil registration and community integration.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crux
Latin term meaning a cross or a torture stake.
This name
GruxA topographic or occupational name likely referring to someone living near a cross or a crossroads.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern (1745)
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Bern (Gemeinde) (2002)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
