Map of France showing where the Cadet arms are recorded
The Cadet arms were recorded in Paris, c. 1663.
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 Cadet 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 Cadet Family in France
The name Cadet originated in France and carries a distinct meaning related to family structure. In the French language, the term was historically used to identify the youngest son in a family. By the time members of the family were documented in Paris in 1663, the name had transitioned from a simple descriptive title into a formal surname. This shift often occurred when a younger brother moved away from the family estate to seek his own fortune, leading others to identify him by his birth order. Because the name was tied to this social custom, it became a common way to distinguish between siblings in official records. The presence of the family in Paris during the mid-seventeenth century suggests they were part of the urban growth occurring in the capital at that time. As the family established themselves in the city, the name became a permanent identifier passed down through generations rather than just a reference to a person's age.
Cadet Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Capitellum
A Latin term meaning little head or small chief.
This name
CadetHistorically used to denote a younger son or a junior member of a family.
also spelled
Kadett
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives Nationales de France, Minutier central des notaires de Paris
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
