A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cator family of England.
Reg. 6472 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Erm. on a pile gu. a lion pass. guard. or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cator Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cator arms are recorded
The Cator arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Cator 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 England.
Origin & History of the Cator Family in England
The family name Cator is rooted in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, the name was often associated with individuals who worked as traders or skilled craftsmen within the bustling urban environment of Northern England. The name itself likely evolved from occupational or locational origins, reflecting the way people were identified in parish registers and tax documents of the era. As the family became established in the region, they contributed to the local economy and social structure of York for generations. Their presence in such a significant historical center suggests that the Cators were well-integrated into the community life of the time, participating in the daily activities and civic growth of the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cattus
Latin term meaning a cat or a crafty person.
This name
CatorAn occupational name for a cat-catcher or a nickname for someone with feline characteristics.
also spelled
Cater
Cattour
Related arms
Catervariant spelling
Katervariant spelling
Burrellrecorded with Cator, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Archdeaconry Probate Records
Collins, Francis, Register of the Freemen of the City of York from the City Records, 1897
Surtees Society, The Publications of the Surtees Society, 1835
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pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
lionCourage, strength and royalty
