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)“Fascé d'or et de gu.; à l'aigle d'azur, cour. d'arg., br. sur le tout.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chatard family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Fascé d'or et de gu.; à l'aigle d'azur, cour. d'arg., br. sur le tout.”
The Chatard arms were recorded in Bugey, c. 1725.
Bugey was small Alpine-edge country in eastern France, held in modest estates. Its gentry were numerous rather than wealthy, and even a small holding justified a shield.
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 family name Chatard is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Bugey region, a mountainous area in eastern France known for its rugged terrain and distinct cultural identity. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents within this territory, living among the small, close-knit communities that defined the local economy. The name itself is thought to be a variation of terms related to the local geography or traditional occupations of the region, reflecting the way families were often identified by their connection to the land. During the early eighteenth century, the Chatards were likely involved in the agricultural and pastoral activities that sustained the Bugey population, navigating the challenges of life in the foothills of the Jura Mountains. Their presence in the area during this time suggests a long-standing commitment to their home, as families in this region often remained on the same ancestral plots for many generations to ensure their survival and stability.
Derived from the French word for cat or a small feline.
