Map of France showing where the Cleet arms are recorded
The Cleet arms were recorded in Champagne, c. 1663.
Champagne made its money at its great trade fairs, where merchants from across Europe met. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region carries a lot of names.
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 Cleet 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 Champagne.
Origin & History of the Cleet Family in France
The family name Cleet finds its early roots in the historic province of Champagne, France, where records confirm the presence of family members by the year 1663. During the seventeenth century, Champagne was a region defined by its agricultural landscape and its growing importance in the production of regional goods. Families living in this area were often tied to the local land and the evolving social structures of the French countryside. As the name appeared in official documents during this period, it likely reflected the family’s integration into the local community and the administrative life of the province. By settling in this specific part of France, the early ancestors of the Cleet name participated in the daily traditions and economic shifts that characterized life under the French monarchy. Their presence in the region suggests a long-standing connection to the local parishes and the rural development that shaped the history of Champagne.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three hinds trippant or”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Cleet arms are recorded
The Cleet arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Cleet 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 England.
Origin & History of the Cleet Family in England
The surname Cleet is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, and families living there were often connected to the bustling merchant guilds or the local parish systems. The name itself likely evolved from Old English or Middle English descriptors related to the geography or the specific occupations of those who first carried it. As the family established their presence in York, they became part of the social fabric of a city defined by its medieval walls and long-standing religious traditions. By settling in such a prominent urban center, the early members of the Cleet family participated in the steady growth of English society during a period of significant political and cultural change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clodoveo
A Germanic name meaning famous warrior or renowned in battle.
This name
CleetA French locative or occupational surname derived from the Frankish name for a famous fighter.
also spelled
Collet
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Marne, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la commune de Reims, 1663
Lachiver, Marcel, Dictionnaire du monde rural: Les mots du passé, 1997
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
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
