A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Jolivet family of Switzerland.
Reg. 7760 · Swiss, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 trois olives d'arg., sans feuilles, la tige en haut et à sen.”
SwitzerlandGenève, c. 1745
Where the Jolivet Arms Were Recorded
Genève
Map of Switzerland showing where the Jolivet arms are recorded
The Jolivet arms were recorded in Genève, 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 Jolivet Family in Switzerland
The name Jolivet is a French surname that originated as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Old French word "joli," which meant cheerful, lively, or pretty. During the Middle Ages, such names were often given to individuals who possessed a bright personality or a spirited nature. By the time the family established a documented presence in Geneva in 1745, they were part of a growing community of families who had moved across regions, often seeking new opportunities in trade or craftsmanship. In the eighteenth century, Geneva was a bustling center for watchmaking and banking, and families like the Jolivets were frequently involved in the skilled labor that defined the city’s economy. Their presence in the city records during this period suggests they were integrated into the social and professional fabric of the Republic of Geneva, contributing to the local culture through their work and daily lives.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Joli
Old French adjective meaning pretty, attractive, or joyful.
This name
JolivetA diminutive form referring to a pleasant or cheerful person.
also spelled
Zholeevay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives d'État de Genève. Registres du Conseil. 1745
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wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
