A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cutler family of England.
Reg. 9703 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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)
“Or, three bends sa. over all a lion ramp. gu”
SuffolkIpswich · Suffolk, c. 1612
Where the Cutler Arms Were Recorded
Suffolk
Map of England showing where the Cutler arms are recorded
The Cutler arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1612.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of 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 England when the Cutler 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 Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Cutler Family in England
The surname Cutler is an occupational name that originated in medieval England, identifying individuals who worked as makers or repairers of knives and other cutting tools. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Suffolk, where records from 1612 confirm their residence and local influence. During this period, members of the family were often involved in the trade and craft industries that defined the economy of East Anglia. As the name became more common, these families integrated into the social fabric of their communities through farming, local governance, and skilled labor. This transition from a specific trade title to a hereditary family name reflects the way many English surnames evolved as people moved from small villages to larger market towns.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Coutelier
Old French word for a knife maker or dealer.
This name
CutlerAn occupational surname for someone who manufactured or sold knives and cutlery.
also spelled
Cutlar
Cuteler
Related arms
Hearingrecorded with Cutler, same area
Starrerecorded with Cutler, same area
Stonerecorded with Cutler, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Suffolk Archives, Ipswich Borough Records: Court and Assembly Books, 1612
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
