A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cutts family of England.
Reg. 2437 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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, on a bend engr. sa. three plates each charged with a martlet of the second”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Cutts Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Cutts arms are recorded
The Cutts arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Cutts 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Cutts Family in England
The surname Cutts is believed to have originated in England as a nickname, likely derived from the Middle English word "cut," which could refer to a person with a short haircut or someone of small stature. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Cutts family were living in this region, where they were often involved in local agriculture and community life. During this period, the family name became more firmly rooted in the English landscape as individuals moved between rural parishes and growing market towns. This transition helped the name spread from its early regional origins into a wider variety of social and professional circles across southern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cuthbert
Derived from Old English elements meaning famous and bright.
This name
CuttsA medieval diminutive form of the name Cuthbert, often used as a nickname.
also spelled
Cuttes
Cuttis
Related arms
Cuttesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, 1620
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
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
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
