A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Canuto family of France.
Reg. 0467 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Purple (Purpure)Means: Royal majesty
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à la bande d'arg., ch. en haut d'une étoile de pourpre et en bas d'un chat de gu., cour. du même; la bande acc. en chef à sen. d'une étoile d'or.”
BourgogneBourgogne, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Canuto arms are recorded
The Canuto 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.
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 Canuto 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 Bourgogne.
Origin & History of the Canuto Family in France
The family name Canuto carries a rich history that traces back to the heart of France. While the name is often associated with Mediterranean regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the Bourgogne province by 1663. During this period, Bourgogne was a center of agricultural and viticultural excellence, and families living there were often deeply connected to the land and the local parish communities. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots related to the Latin word for white or grey hair, which was frequently used as a descriptive nickname in medieval Europe. As these early ancestors settled in the rolling hills of Bourgogne, they became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the daily life and administrative record-keeping that defined seventeenth-century French society. By documenting their presence in local registers, these early family members helped preserve a legacy that has persisted for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Canutus
Latin term meaning gray-haired or hoary.
This name
CanutoA surname derived from a medieval personal name signifying one with gray or white hair.
also spelled
Channut
Shanu
Chanute
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales de la Côte-d'Or, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Bouchard, Gérard, L'histoire sociale des familles, 1996
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
