Map of France showing where the Cadwallader arms are recorded
The Cadwallader arms were recorded in Etats-Unis, 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 Cadwallader 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 Cadwallader Family in France
The name Cadwallader is rooted in ancient Welsh history, derived from the Old Welsh elements *cad*, meaning battle, and *gwaladr*, meaning leader. For centuries, this name was associated with legendary kings and warriors in Britain, carrying a sense of prestige and strength. By the early 18th century, the family had established a presence in the region of Bretagne, France, as evidenced by records from 1725. It is likely that individuals bearing this name migrated across the English Channel during periods of political or social upheaval, eventually integrating into the local communities of northwestern France. While the name remains deeply connected to its Celtic origins, its appearance in French archives highlights the movement and resilience of the family as they adapted to life in a new linguistic and cultural landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cadwaladr
Welsh elements meaning battle leader or warrior.
This name
CadwalladerDerived from the Old Welsh name meaning battle leader or leader of the battle.
also spelled
Kadwalader
Cadwallader
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Charles, B. G., The Place-Names of Pembrokeshire, 1992
Davies, John, A History of Wales, 1990
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
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