A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bastet family of France.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commanderJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De gu. à trois bandes d'or.”
The Bastet arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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.
Reigning in France when the Bastet arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Bastet finds its roots in the southern regions of France, specifically within the historic province of Languedoc. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Bastet family were established residents of this area, which was known for its distinct cultural identity and complex social structure. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the Old Occitan word "bast," which often referred to a pack saddle or a person who worked as a muleteer. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were likely hardworking tradespeople or farmers who played a vital role in the local economy. As these individuals moved through the villages and towns of Languedoc, they helped shape the regional history during a time of significant religious and political change in France. Their presence in the 17th century marks a long-standing connection to the land and the agricultural traditions that defined life in the south for many generations.
Ancient Egyptian deity associated with protection, fertility, and domestic cats.
