Map of France showing where the Chitre arms are recorded
The Chitre arms were recorded in France, c. 1630.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Chitre 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 Chitre Family in France
The history of the Chitre family is deeply rooted in the coastal landscape of Bretagne, France, where records confirm their presence as early as 1630. During the seventeenth century, families in this region often lived in close-knit rural communities that relied heavily on maritime trade and local agriculture. The name likely emerged as a descriptive identifier for individuals living near specific geographic features or those who held particular roles within their parish. As the family established themselves in the Breton countryside, they became part of the complex social fabric of the province, navigating the transition from feudal traditions to the more centralized administration of the French monarchy. By maintaining their presence in the region over generations, the early members of the Chitre family contributed to the enduring cultural identity of Bretagne, reflecting the resilience and steady growth of families in western France during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Citreum
Latin term for the citron or lemon tree.
This name
ChitreA topographic name for someone who lived near a lemon or citrus orchard.
also spelled
Chastre
Chastres
Shatr
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Fonds de l'intendance de Bretagne
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wolfReward from long service and hard work
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wolfReward from long service and hard work
