Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Coupé: au 1 d'azur semé de croiss. d'arg.; au 2 de gu. à une chausse-trape d'or.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cannata family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Coupé: au 1 d'azur semé de croiss. d'arg.; au 2 de gu. à une chausse-trape d'or.”

The Cannata arms were recorded in Bourgogne, c. 1663.
Bourgogne was one of the richest parts of France, built on wine, wool and the roads that carried both. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region filled with armed families earlier than most of the country.
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.
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 family name Cannata is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Europe, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the Bourgogne region of France as early as 1663. While the name is often associated with Mediterranean origins, its presence in eastern France during the seventeenth century suggests a history of migration and integration into local communities. During this period, families often settled in specific provinces to engage in agriculture, trade, or local administration. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects, reflecting the linguistic shifts common in rural France and Italy during the transition into the modern era. By establishing themselves in Bourgogne, these early ancestors became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the local economy and traditions that defined life in the seventeenth century.
Latin term for a reed or cane plant.
