A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Laffey family of Switzerland.
Reg. 8415 · Swiss, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Parti d'azur et de gu.; au pal d'arg., br. sur le tout et accosté de deux boules du même. C.: un cygne iss. d'arg., bq. de sa., le vol levé. L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Laffey arms are recorded
The Laffey 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 Laffey Family in Switzerland
The history of the Laffey family name is deeply connected to the movement of people across Europe during the eighteenth century. While the name is often associated with Irish roots, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of Bern, Switzerland, by 1745. During this period, Bern served as a major crossroads for trade and diplomacy, attracting families who sought stability and new professional opportunities in the heart of the Alps. The presence of the family in this region suggests they were likely integrated into the local urban community, perhaps working as skilled tradespeople or merchants who contributed to the city's growing economy. By settling in such a prominent administrative center, the early members of the family helped establish a legacy that allowed the name to persist through generations of social and political change in Central Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Laf
Old French term referring to a leaf or foliage.
This name
LaffeyA topographic surname for someone who lived near a leafy area or forest.
also spelled
Laufe
Lof
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenrodel der Stadt Bern (1745)
Dubler, Anne-Marie, Stadt und Land in der Schweiz des 18. Jahrhunderts (1990)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
