Marolf Coat of Arms

The Family Coats of Arms

The idea of a "family" coat of arms is somewhat a fallacy. Typically, a specific coat of arms was granted to an individual, and then was either passed down unchanged through the bloodline (i.e. the same coat of arms was owned/used by only one person at a time), or it was modified by descendents in some way to show the relationship to the original bearer (i.e. slightly different versions of the coat of arms were held by multiple people at the same time). Therefore, it is possible that multiple coats of arms may exist for the same surname, and it may be the case that no official arms were ever granted for a surname to anybody. However, in modern times (especially in the United States), the idea has widely been adopted that if a coat of arms exists, it belongs to all those bearing its surname.

Marolf Coat of Arms #1

Painting done in 1970 by my father,
Stewart Paul Marolf.

These arms were presumably granted to Johannes Marolff in 1490 (as can be seen on the motto scroll beneath the shield), who served as rector of the University of Basel in that year. A miniature of this coat of arms can be found in the University of Basel Library. The arms are said to be held up by Saint Ivo, patron saint of lawyers, denoting Johannes Marolff's profession as an attorney.

Johannes was noted in the roster of rectors as being from "Fridberg", which is either a reference to the modern Friedberg, Switzerland, about 23 miles from Basel, or it refers to Friedberg Am Taunen, Germany. There may be some support for it being the latter city in light of there supposedly being Marolfs who lived there in the 1500's and happened to be ancestors of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the famous German writer and author of the famous play Faust. It should be noted that I have not verified these claims.

Interestingly, this coat of arms breaks one of the basic rules of heraldry, the rule of tincture, stating that two metals (metal colors) cannot be placed on top of each other--note the Or (gold) acorn is directly on the Argent (silver) field.

Symbolic meanings:

• The Argent (silver) shield color symbolizes peace and serenity.
• The Gules (red) color of the arm can symbolize the warrior, martyr, military strength, or magnanimity.
• Arm: symbolic of strength, power, help and protection, and also stands for an industrious person. It is also the instrument of justice (hence our expression "the long arm of the law"). In heraldry an arm on its own, is usually found carrying some sort of weapon, often a sword, as a symbol of strength and power.
• Oak/Acorns: symbolic of strength, endurance, antiquity. The oak-tree was sacred to the Druids, and oaks were thought to be struck by lightning particularly often and so were associated with lightning gods. The oak's hard wood and the trees general stoutness and unshakeability made it a symbol of endurance and immoveability. The oak tree or branch with acorns is said to stand for continuous growth and fertility.

Derived Blazon:   Argent issuant from sinister an Arm fesswise Or vested Gules cuffed of the second holding an Acorn palewise of the second slipped and leaved of two Vert.

Marolf Coat of Arms #2

This coat of arms is unverified as having been granted to someone and may be only a sample of artwork done in stained glass by Peter Marolf from Adliswil, Switzerland. The helmet shown is that of a chevalier (a member of any of various orders of knighthood or of merit). However, it is unknown as to whether or not this helmet actually denotes the bearer's rank. This coat of arms, like the first, also seems to break one of the basic rules of heraldry stating that two tinctures cannot be placed on top of each other--note the Vert (green) shamrock is directly on the Gules (red) field.

Symbolic meanings:

• The Gules (red) tinted shield may symbolize the warrior, martyr, military strength, or magnanimity.
• Grapes: Symbolizes liberality, felicity, and peace. Shows the family's association with wine making.
• Trefoil/Shamrock: Symbolizes perpetuity and longevity. The shamrock is a very ancient symbol, and was revered by the Druids as a sacred plant. In Christianity its three leaves were seen as representing the Trinity. In heraldry, the shamrock often represents a connection with Ireland. Clovers have also long been associated with good fortune and chance.
• Coupeaux : Symbolic of hills; may have no deeper meaning. The relationship between Switzerland and hills or mountains is obvious however.
• Rose: Symbolizes hope, joy, or can mean the seventh son. The white rose in particular denotes love and faith.
• Mullet: Symbolic of divine quality bestowed by God. Sign of the third son. Mullets represent the rowels of spurs.

Derived Blazon:   Gules a Trefoil Vert stalked the same and a Rose Argent proper stalked of the second in saltire both issuant from a Coupeaux of the second and in chief a bunch of Grapes couped Or between two Mullets of six points of the same.