A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Castelnau family of France.
Reg. 4848 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur à un château-fort d'or, sommé de trois tours du même; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à deux fasces d'or.”
FranceToulouse, c. 1663
Where the Castelnau Arms Were Recorded
Toulouse
Map of France showing where the Castelnau arms are recorded
The Castelnau arms were recorded in Toulouse, c. 1663.
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 Castelnau 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 Castelnau Family in France
The surname Castelnau is a classic example of a locative name, which means it was originally derived from a specific place rather than a trade or personal trait. The name comes from the Occitan words "castel," meaning castle, and "nau," meaning new. This suggests that the family’s earliest ancestors likely lived near or were associated with a "new castle" in the Languedoc region of southern France. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the Castelnau family were well-established in the city of Toulouse. During this period, Toulouse was a major center for trade and law, and families with this name often held positions of local influence or served as landowners. Because the name describes a physical landmark, it emerged independently in several different areas, though the branch centered in Toulouse became particularly notable for its presence in the city’s civic and social life by 1663.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Castellum and Novus
Latin for castle or fort and the adjective meaning new.
This name
CastelnauRefers to a person living near or originating from a new castle.
also spelled
Castelneau
Castelnault
Castelna
Kastelno
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Les noms de famille de France. 1945
Moréri, Louis. Le Grand Dictionnaire historique, ou le mélange curieux de l'histoire sacrée et profane. 1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
