A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Courtade family of France.
Reg. 4166 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or à un cerf courant de gu.”
AuvergneAuvergne, c. 1663
Where the Courtade Arms Were Recorded
Auvergne
Map of France showing where the Courtade arms are recorded
The Courtade arms were recorded in Auvergne, c. 1663.
Auvergne was mountain country in the middle of France, poor in money but thick with old families. Estates were small and held for a very long time, and long tenure counted for more than wealth when it came to 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Courtade 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 Auvergne.
Origin & History of the Courtade Family in France
The surname Courtade is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of the Auvergne region in central France. By the year 1663, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established within these volcanic highlands. The name itself is derived from the Occitan word "cortada," which refers to a piece of land that has been cut or cleared for agricultural use. This suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely hardworking farmers or landowners who cleared forests to create fields for crops and livestock. Living in the isolated mountain valleys of Auvergne, these families developed a strong connection to the earth and their local community. Over many generations, the name became a permanent marker of their identity, reflecting their historical role as pioneers who shaped the rural terrain of their home province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
curtis
Latin term referring to an enclosed courtyard or a farmstead.
This name
CourtadeA topographic name for someone who lived near a courtyard or farm enclosure.
also spelled
Courtad
Kurtad
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives départementales du Puy-de-Dôme, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, 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.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
