Map of Switzerland showing where the Ribordy arms are recorded
The Ribordy arms were recorded in Valais, 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 Ribordy Family in Switzerland
The Ribordy family name is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of the Valais region in Switzerland. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area by 1745, living among the high mountain valleys where the local culture was shaped by agriculture and alpine traditions. The name itself is thought to have evolved from local dialects, likely serving as a way to identify families based on their specific village or their role within the community. During the eighteenth century, the Ribordy family was part of a tight-knit society that relied on communal cooperation to survive the harsh winters and steep terrain of the Alps. By tracing their presence back to this period, we see a family that was deeply connected to the land and the unique social structures of the Swiss cantons. Their history reflects the broader story of families who built stable lives in the isolated, beautiful, and challenging environment of the Valais.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ribaud
Derived from the Old French term for a rogue or vagabond.
This name
RibordyA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person known as a rogue.
also spelled
Ribordi
Ribordee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État du Valais, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives communales de la vallée du Rhône, Recensements de la population
Gilliard, Charles, Histoire de la Suisse, 1955
Michellod, Jean-Pierre, Noms de famille du Valais, 1998
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
