Map of France showing where the Caco arms are recorded
The Caco arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Caco 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 France.
Origin & History of the Caco Family in France
The family name Caco has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1725. During the eighteenth century, Brittany was a distinct province with its own unique traditions and a strong maritime culture. Families in this area often lived in rural parishes where they worked as farmers or artisans. The name likely evolved from local dialects spoken in the region, which were a mix of French and the traditional Breton language. As the family grew, they became part of the local community fabric, participating in the daily life of their villages and contributing to the regional economy. By studying the parish registers of this time, we can see how the Caco family established their presence in the rugged landscape of western France long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cacus
Derived from the Latin term for a mythical fire-breathing giant.
This name
CacoA topographic or occupational surname likely referring to a person living near a cave or a kiln.
also spelled
Cacaul
Kacault
Caco
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Collection de l'état civil
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Le Gall, Jean-Yves, Les noms de famille en Bretagne, 2005
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