A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cat family of Netherlands.
Reg. 2720 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au chev. de sin., acc. en chef de deux têtes de lion de sa., lamp. de gu. (ou, les mêmes armes, augmentées d'une fleur-de-lis d'arg. en p.)”
NetherlandsAmsterdam, c. 1815
Where the Cat Arms Were Recorded
Amsterdam
Map of Netherlands showing where the Cat arms are recorded
The Cat arms were recorded in Amsterdam, c. 1815.
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.
Region
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Cat Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Cat arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Cat Family in Netherlands
The family name Cat has deep roots in the Netherlands, with official records confirming that members of the family were established in Amsterdam by 1815. During the early nineteenth century, Amsterdam was a bustling center of trade and maritime activity, and many families with short, descriptive surnames were often linked to specific occupations or local landmarks. The name itself is likely a topographic or occupational nickname, which was a common way for people to identify themselves in a growing urban population. As the city expanded during the post-Napoleonic era, families like the Cat line became part of the city’s evolving social fabric. By documenting their presence in the city archives during this period, we gain a clear window into how the family integrated into the administrative and economic life of the Dutch capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cattus
A Latin term referring to a cat or feline animal.
This name
CatA topographic or occupational name for someone who lived near a cat-shaped landmark or kept cats.
also spelled
Katt
Kat
Catt
Related arms
Kattvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Bevolkingsregister 1815
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Doop-, trouw- en begraafregisters (DTB)
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
