A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Catlett family of France.
Reg. 6757 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 à la bande de gu., ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'arg., posées dans le sens de la bande. C.: un vol; ou, une aigle d'arg., cour. d'or. Cri: PRINY!”
Francec. 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the Catlett arms are recorded
The Catlett 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Catlett 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 Catlett Family in France
The family name Catlett is believed to have roots in the northern regions of France, specifically within the historic province of Bretagne. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this coastal area, living amidst a culture defined by maritime trade and strong local traditions. The name likely evolved from regional dialects, possibly serving as a descriptive term for a person’s occupation or a specific physical trait common among early ancestors. As the family moved through the eighteenth century, they participated in the social and economic shifts of the French countryside. Their presence in Bretagne suggests they were part of a community that valued land ownership and local craftsmanship, which helped the family name persist through generations of regional change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Catulus
Latin for a young animal or puppy
This name
CatlettA diminutive form referring to a small or young person
also spelled
Chastelet
Chastellet
Shatelay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
