The development of signature as an independent phenomenon in Russian writing culture has not yet been studied sufficiently. This paper is dedicated to the first formative stage of contemporary Russian signature. It analyzes the signature development from the 1610s, when it first appears in Russian documents, to the 1720s, when it acquires the form that will further evolve up to present days. Some issues regarding the appearance of modern-type signature in mediaeval Russian documents, as well as the aspects of Western European influence are also considered in the paper.