A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cadran family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à trois cadrans en forme de cylindres d'or, 2 et 1, posés verticalement.”
The Cadran arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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.
Reigning in France when the Cadran 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 surname Cadran finds its historical roots in the rugged landscape of Bretagne, France, where members of the family were documented as early as 1663. The name is likely derived from the Old French word *cadran*, which refers to a sundial or a measuring instrument. This suggests that the earliest ancestors may have been skilled craftsmen, such as metalworkers or clockmakers, who held a respected place in their local community. During the seventeenth century, life in Bretagne was defined by strong regional traditions and a close connection to the land. Families like the Cadrans were often part of the rural or artisan classes that formed the backbone of the province. By establishing their presence in this region during the mid-1600s, the family became part of the long and complex history of a territory known for its unique language, maritime culture, and resilient people.
Latin term meaning square or four-sided.
