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)“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur à une fleur-de-lis d'or; aux 2 et 3 palé de sa. et d'arg.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Caselle family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur à une fleur-de-lis d'or; aux 2 et 3 palé de sa. et d'arg.”
The Caselle arms were recorded in France, 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.
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 Caselle carries a deep connection to the regional history of Bretagne, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1725. The name itself is likely derived from the Latin word "casella," which refers to a small house or a modest dwelling. In the eighteenth century, many families in this region were closely tied to the land and local agricultural traditions. As the family established their roots in the Breton countryside, they became part of the unique social fabric of the area. This period was marked by a strong sense of community and local identity, which helped shape the lives of the early Caselle ancestors. By tracing their history back to this time, we can see how the family name evolved alongside the changing landscape of northwestern France.
Latin term meaning a cottage, hut, or small house.
