Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. au lion d'azur; au chef du même, ch. de trois étoiles d'or.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cavalera family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. au lion d'azur; au chef du même, ch. de trois étoiles d'or.”

The Cavalera arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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.
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.
The name Cavalera carries a deep connection to the Languedoc region of southern France, where the family was firmly established by the mid-seventeenth century. During the year 1663, the name appeared in regional records, marking a period when the family was likely integrated into the local agricultural or artisan communities that defined the landscape of the Mediterranean coast. The name itself is linguistically linked to the Occitan language spoken in that area, often associated with the term for a horseman or someone who worked closely with cavalry. Living in Languedoc during this era meant the family navigated a time of significant religious and political transition, as the region moved toward closer integration with the French crown. By maintaining their presence in this historic province, the early members of the Cavalera family contributed to the distinct cultural identity of southern France, blending local traditions with the evolving social structures of the seventeenth century.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Gu. a Pegasus saliant ar. winged and maned or, charged with a rose of the field, within a bordure gobony of the second”

The Cavalera arms were recorded in Yorkshire, c. 1554.
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.
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.
The history of the Cavalera family in England begins with their documented presence in the county of Yorkshire during the mid-sixteenth century. By 1554, records show that members of this family had established themselves within the local community, likely participating in the agricultural and social life of the region. The name itself carries roots that suggest a connection to the Latin word for horse, which often indicated that early ancestors were involved in cavalry service or the management of stables. As these individuals settled in Northern England, they integrated into the local parish systems, which were essential for tracking births, marriages, and deaths during the Tudor period. Their survival in the historical record from this time provides a rare glimpse into the lives of families who navigated the shifting political and religious landscape of sixteenth-century England.
A horseman or a knight in medieval Latin.

