A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gattis family of France.
Reg. 1078 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or à un chat de sa., acc. en chef d'un lambel de quatre pendants de gu.; au 2 d'azur à trois bandes d'or.”
FranceCalabre, c. 1725
Where the Gattis Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Gattis arms are recorded
The Gattis arms were recorded in Calabre, 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 Gattis 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 Gattis Family in France
The surname Gattis has deep roots tied to the rugged landscape of Bretagne, where family members were documented as early as 1725. This region of northwestern France was a distinct cultural hub, and the name likely evolved from local linguistic traditions or specific geographic markers within the province. Families in this area often lived in close-knit rural communities, relying on agriculture and maritime trade to sustain their livelihoods. As the eighteenth century progressed, the Gattis name became part of the social fabric of the Breton countryside, reflecting a history of resilience and adaptation. By tracing these early records, we see a family that was firmly established within the unique traditions and social structures of pre-revolutionary France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gattus
A Latin term referring to a cat or a feline creature.
This name
GattisA locative or occupational surname likely denoting a person with cat-like agility or stealth.
also spelled
Gattiss
Gatties
Gatis
Related arms
Bernaudorecorded with Gattis, same area
Cesarerecorded with Gattis, same area
Dignosayorecorded with Gattis, same area
Selvaggirecorded with Gattis, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Finistère, Collection de la série B, Archives judiciaires d'Ancien Régime
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
