A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Milstead family of Switzerland.
Reg. 9045 · Swiss, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Parti: au 1 d'or à une étoile d'azur; au 2 d'azur à une demi-roue d'arg., mouv. du parti. C.: trois pl. d'aut., une d'arg. entre deux d'azur. L.: à dextre d'or et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Milstead arms are recorded
The Milstead 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 Milstead Family in Switzerland
The Milstead family name has roots that trace back to the mountainous regions of Switzerland, with records confirming family members were living in the city of Bern by 1745. During this period, the name was often associated with families who lived near specific landmarks or managed local lands, as was common for surnames developing in the German-speaking cantons. Many individuals with this name were part of the steady migration patterns that saw Swiss families move toward the Rhine River valley in search of new opportunities. As these families traveled, the spelling of the name occasionally shifted to adapt to the local dialects of the regions they passed through. By the mid-18th century, the Milstead name was firmly established in European records, marking the beginning of a long history of movement and settlement that eventually carried the family across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mild-stede
A gentle or pleasant place or homestead.
This name
MilsteadDerived from Old English elements referring to a person living at a pleasant or mild settlement.
also spelled
Mylster
Milstar
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, 2002
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern, 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
