A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cater family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7190 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la bande ou barre d'azur, ch. d'un matou pass. du champ, posé dans le sens de la bande ou de la barre, la tête de front. Cq. cour. C.: un More iss., hab. de gu., tort. d'arg., au rabat du même.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Cater Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Cater arms are recorded
The Cater arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry arms.
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
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Cater 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 Cater 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 Cater Family in Netherlands
The history of the Cater family in the Netherlands is deeply rooted in the northern province of Friesland, where records confirm their presence by the year 1815. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant changes in how citizens registered their surnames due to the introduction of the Napoleonic civil registry. Before this time, many families in rural areas like Friesland used patronymic naming systems, where a person’s last name was based on their father’s first name. The emergence of the fixed surname Cater suggests that the family likely transitioned from these traditional naming customs to a permanent family name during the early nineteenth century. This shift often reflected a family's desire to establish a stable identity as the Dutch government modernized its administrative systems. By settling in Friesland, the early members of the Cater family became part of a region known for its strong agricultural traditions and distinct cultural identity, which helped shape their early history in the country.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. a chev. erm. betw. three salmons haurient ar”
LeicestershireLondon · Leicestershire, c. 1582
Where the Cater Arms Were Recorded
Leicestershire
Map of England showing where the Cater arms are recorded
The Cater arms were recorded in Leicestershire, c. 1582.
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 England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Netherlands when the Cater arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
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 Leicestershire.
Origin & History of the Cater Family in England
The surname Cater has deep roots in the English landscape, functioning originally as an occupational name for a buyer or a provider of provisions. In the Middle Ages, a "cater" was a person responsible for purchasing food and supplies for a large household or a royal court, a role that required both trust and organizational skill. By the late sixteenth century, historical records confirm that members of the Cater family were firmly established in the county of Leicestershire. Specifically, documents from 1582 highlight their presence in this region, suggesting that the family had integrated into the local agricultural or merchant communities of the English Midlands. Over time, these early ancestors helped shape the social fabric of their parishes, transitioning from their initial roles as household purveyors into established local residents whose name became a permanent fixture in the history of the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cattus
Latin term meaning a cat or a feline animal.
This name
CaterAn occupational surname for a cat catcher or a nickname for someone with feline characteristics.
also spelled
Kater
Catter
Cator
Catour
Related arms
Katervariant spelling
Catorvariant spelling
Stevensonrecorded with Cater, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar, Burgerlijke Stand Friesland, 1811-1950
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank, 2010
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
