A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Caty family of Austria.
Reg. 1944 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 coupé de sa. sur arg., à deux C (des manuscrits antiques), celui en chef d'arg. et celui en p. d'azur; au 2 de gu. à une épée d'arg., garnie d'or, accostée de deux étoiles du même. Cq. cour. C.: une épée d'arg., garnie d'or; entre un vol coupé, à dextre de sa. sur arg., à sen. d'or sur gu. L. conformes aux émaux du vol. S.: à dextre un lion ailé d'or, lamp. de gu.; à sen. un griffon d'or, lamp. de gu.”
Austriac. 1862
Where the Caty Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Caty arms are recorded
The Caty arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1862.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1862
Granting Authority for the Caty Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Sovereign of the period
Franz Joseph I of Austria
1848–1916
Reigning in Austria when the Caty arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Caty Family in Austria
The family name Caty carries a deep connection to the rugged landscapes of the Tyrol region, where records confirm members of the family were living by 1862. This area, located in the heart of the Alps, served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between Germanic and Italian populations. Families in this mountainous territory often developed surnames based on their specific trade, their physical surroundings, or their ancestral village names. Because the region was historically influenced by shifting borders and diverse linguistic groups, the name likely evolved as a way to identify families within their local alpine communities. By the mid-19th century, the Caty family was well-established in this environment, participating in the traditional agricultural and artisan lifestyles that defined life in the high mountain valleys of the Austrian Empire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Katherina
Derived from the Greek word katharos meaning pure.
This name
CatyA diminutive form of the name Katherine, signifying purity and clarity.
also spelled
Catti
Caty
Katy
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Zivilstandsregister der Pfarreien in Tirol (1862)
Huter, Franz, Tiroler Urkundenbuch (1937)
Obermair, Hannes, Tirolensia: Quellen zur Geschichte des Tiroler Raumes (2005)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
swordJustice, and military honour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
swordJustice, and military honour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
