A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cloete family of France.
Reg. 3308 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à trois demi-vols de gu.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Cloete Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Cloete arms are recorded
The Cloete arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Cloete 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 Cloete Family in France
The family name Cloete has deep roots that trace back to the region of Bretagne in France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area. The name itself is thought to have evolved from local linguistic traditions, reflecting the specific dialects spoken in northwestern France during that period. Families with this surname were often involved in the agricultural and maritime life of the coastal provinces, which helped them build a stable presence in their communities. Over time, the name became a distinct identifier for these individuals as they moved through different social and professional circles. This early history highlights a lineage that was deeply connected to the cultural landscape of eighteenth-century France before the name eventually spread to other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Claudus
Latin term meaning lame, limping, or crippled.
This name
CloeteA surname derived from a nickname for someone with a physical disability or limp.
also spelled
Kloete
Cloet
Kloote
Related arms
Cloetvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Nationales d'Outre-Mer, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
De Villiers, C.C., Geslacht-register der oude Kaapsche familien, 1893
Heese, J.A., Die Herkoms van die Afrikaner, 1971
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
