A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cado family of France.
Reg. 3225 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or, à la fasce de gu., ch. de trois bes. d'or et acc. de six étoiles d'arg.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Cado Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Cado arms are recorded
The Cado arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Cado 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 Cado Family in France
The family name Cado has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1663. The name is believed to be a shortened form of the ancient Breton name Cadoc, which carries the meaning of battle or war. During the seventeenth century, families in this coastal area were often deeply connected to the land and the local parish community. Life in Brittany at this time was defined by strong regional traditions and a distinct linguistic heritage that separated the people from the rest of France. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the province, likely working as farmers, artisans, or tradespeople who helped sustain the local economy. Their presence in the region during this period reflects the broader history of Breton families who maintained their unique identity through generations of change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cadoc
Derived from the Old Welsh word for battle or war.
This name
CadoA French surname originating from the saintly name Cadoc, signifying a battle-ready warrior.
also spelled
Kado
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Finistère, Fonds de l'Ancien Régime
Deshayes, Albert, Dictionnaire des noms de famille bretons, 1995
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses du Finistère, 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
