Map of France showing where the Barratt arms are recorded
The Barratt arms were recorded in Artois, c. 1663.
Artois lay on the disputed ground between France and the Low Countries and was fought over for centuries. Families there held their land under arms, and a shield was how a fighting household was known.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Barratt arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Artois.
Origin & History of the Barratt Family in France
The family name Barratt finds its roots in the northern French region of Artois, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Artois was a region defined by shifting borders and frequent conflict between the French crown and the Spanish Netherlands. Families living in this area often worked as skilled laborers or farmers, navigating the complex social changes brought on by the transition of the territory into French control. The name itself likely evolved from local dialects, reflecting the linguistic blending common in border provinces where French and Flemish influences met. By settling in Artois, these early ancestors became part of a resilient community that helped shape the agricultural and cultural identity of northern France during a time of significant national expansion.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“three lozenge buckles in bend gu”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Barratt arms are recorded
The Barratt arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Barratt arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Barratt Family in England
The surname Barratt traces its roots back to medieval England, where it emerged as a descriptive name for a person who was known to be a contentious or argumentative individual. By the time the name appeared in the city of York in 1620, the family had likely established itself as part of the growing merchant or artisan class that defined the region. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, providing a stable environment for families to build their livelihoods over several generations. Members of the Barratt family during the early seventeenth century would have navigated the social and economic changes of the Stuart era, likely participating in the local guilds or parish life that formed the backbone of English society. This history reflects a transition from a simple nickname used in the Middle Ages to a settled family identity that took root in the historic northern landscape of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
barat
Old French term meaning deceit, trickery, or cunning.
This name
BarrattA nickname for a crafty or deceitful person, or an occupational name for a trader.
also spelled
Barratt
Barrate
Bara
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Pas-de-Calais, Série E (Dépôt des registres paroissiaux et d'état civil)
Gauvard, Claude, La France au Moyen Âge du Ve au XVe siècle, 1996
Lottin, Alain, Histoire des provinces françaises du Nord, 1989
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
