A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Rouillard family of Switzerland.
Reg. 6156 · Swiss, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur à un griffon naiss. d'or, coll. d'arg., mouv. du coupé; au 2 de gu. au pal d'arg. C.: un vol à l'antique, l'aile de devant d'or et celle de derrière d'azur. L. d'or et d'azur.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Rouillard arms are recorded
The Rouillard arms were recorded in Bâle, 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 Rouillard Family in Switzerland
The family name Rouillard originates from the French language and is rooted in the medieval term "rouille," which refers to the color rust. Historically, this name was often used as a descriptive nickname for someone with reddish hair or a ruddy complexion. By the middle of the eighteenth century, members of the Rouillard family had established a presence in the city of Bâle, which is known today as Basel, Switzerland. During this era, families with this surname were often integrated into the urban life of the region, participating in the local trades and civic activities that defined the bustling trade hubs of the Rhine valley. The migration of the family into Swiss territories reflects the broader movement of people across European borders during the 1700s as individuals sought new opportunities in commerce and craftsmanship.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Roul
A Germanic personal name derived from elements meaning glory and wolf.
This name
RouillardA diminutive form referring to a descendant of someone named Roul or a nickname for a rough person.
also spelled
Ralyar
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt. Bürgerverzeichnisse und Einwohnerregister. 1745
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
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
