Map of Wales showing where the Cassoni arms are recorded
The Cassoni arms were recorded in Merioneth, c. 1647.
Merioneth was mountain country in north-west Wales, poor and thinly settled. Its families held small estates for centuries, and long tenure counted for more than wealth.
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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Cassoni arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Merioneth.
Origin & History of the Cassoni Family in Wales
The family name Cassoni carries a history that reaches back into the rugged landscapes of Merioneth, Wales, where records confirm the presence of family members by the year 1647. During this era, the region was defined by its mountainous terrain and a strong tradition of pastoral farming, which likely shaped the daily lives and social standing of the early Cassoni household. While the name itself suggests potential roots in Mediterranean naming conventions, its firm establishment in the Welsh countryside indicates a long period of integration into the local community. Families in seventeenth-century Merioneth often lived in close-knit rural settlements, relying on the land and local trade to sustain their livelihoods. By settling in this specific area, the early members of the family became part of the unique cultural tapestry of North Wales, leaving behind a legacy that spans nearly four centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cassus
Latin term meaning hollow, empty, or vain.
This name
CassoniDerived from an occupational or descriptive nickname for a person of hollow or empty stature.
also spelled
Cassun
Cassyn
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Library of Wales, Merioneth Quarter Sessions Records
Lloyd, J.Y.W., The History of the Princes, the Lords Marcher, and the Ancient Nobility of Powys Fadog, 1881
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
