A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chatto family of England.
Reg. 9228 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
vairProtection, and the winter fur
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“1st and 4th, az. a bend engr. ar. betw. two castles or, for CHATTO; 2nd and 3rd, gu. two bars indented in chief as many fleurs-de-lis or, a bend vair, for POTTS”
MiddlesexMiddlesex, c. 1864
Where the Chatto Arms Were Recorded
Middlesex
Map of England showing where the Chatto arms are recorded
The Chatto arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1864.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in England when the Chatto 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Chatto Family in England
The surname Chatto is primarily associated with the border regions between England and Scotland, where it likely originated as a locative name derived from the village of Chatto in Roxburghshire. Historical records suggest that families bearing this name were well-established in the northern territories for centuries before members began migrating southward toward major urban centers. By the mid-19th century, the family had firmly planted roots in Middlesex, a county that served as a hub for commerce and industry during the Victorian era. The presence of the Chatto name in London and its surrounding areas by 1864 reflects the broader trend of internal migration that defined the period, as families moved from rural northern districts to participate in the growing opportunities of the capital. This transition marked a shift from the family’s ancient northern origins to a more modern, urban identity in the heart of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Catt
Derived from the Old English word for a cat or wildcat.
This name
ChattoA locational surname referring to someone from the village of Chatto in Roxburghshire.
also spelled
Chattow
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Register of Sasines, 1600–1800
The National Archives, Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861, HO 107
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
