A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Châtelain family of France.
Reg. 7225 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à une orle de roses et de fleurs-de-lis d'or; au chef du même, ch. d'une aigle ép. de sa., chaque tête cour. d'or.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Châtelain Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Châtelain arms are recorded
The Châtelain arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Châtelain arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
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.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Châtelain Family in France
The name Châtelain originated as a descriptive title in medieval France, referring to the official who managed a castle or a fortified manor. This person, known as a castellan, held significant local authority and was responsible for the defense and administration of the lord’s estate. Over time, this professional title transitioned into a hereditary surname as families became identified by the roles their ancestors performed within the feudal system. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Châtelain family were well-established in the region of Bretagne. During this period, the family likely integrated into the local social structure of the province, adapting to the unique cultural and agricultural landscape of western France while maintaining the legacy of their administrative roots.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
castellanus
Latin term referring to a person belonging to or guarding a castle.
This name
ChâtelainAn occupational title for a castellan, the official in charge of a castle or manor.
also spelled
Chastelain
Chastellain
Shatelan
Related arms
Chastelainvariant spelling
Chastellainvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
