A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Catterall family of England.
Reg. 3351 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. three mascles or”
LancasterCrooke · Lancaster, c. 1620
Where the Catterall Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Catterall arms are recorded
The Catterall arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Catterall 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Catterall Family in England
The surname Catterall is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The family took its name from the village of Catterall, located in the historic county of Lancashire in Northern England. The name itself is derived from Old Norse and Old English roots, likely meaning a nook or a corner of land where wild cats were found. By the early 17th century, the family had firmly established roots in the Lancaster region, as evidenced by records of their presence there in 1620. During this era, families often identified themselves by the lands they held or the parishes where they resided, and the Catteralls were deeply connected to the rural landscape of Northwest England. As the family grew, members moved throughout the county, helping to anchor the name within the local history of Lancashire for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caterall
A locative name derived from a settlement in Lancashire, England.
This name
CatterallRefers to a place of cat-slope or a steep bank frequented by wild cats.
also spelled
Catterell
Related arms
Claytonrecorded with Catterall, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Place-Names of Lancashire. 1922
Farrer, William and Brownbill, John. A History of the County of Lancaster. 1912
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
