Map of Switzerland showing where the Shelat arms are recorded
The Shelat arms were recorded in Zurich, 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 Shelat Family in Switzerland
The surname Shelat is deeply rooted in the historical records of the Swiss canton of Zurich, where the family was documented as early as 1745. During the eighteenth century, Zurich was a center of trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Shelats often played active roles in the local guild system or agricultural community. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or specific occupational descriptions common to the German-speaking areas of Switzerland. As the family established their presence in the region, they became part of the long-standing social fabric of the city. Over time, the name persisted through generations, reflecting the stability and traditions of life in the Swiss Confederation during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schell
Derived from the Middle High German word for a bell or clapper.
This name
ShelatAn occupational name for a bell maker or a nickname for a loud, boisterous person.
also spelled
Slatt
Slatte
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich, Zürcher Eheregister (1745)
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich, Bürgerrechtsverzeichnisse der Stadt Zürich
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
