Map of Netherlands showing where the Kat arms are recorded
The Kat arms were recorded in Amsterdam, c. 1815.
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.
Region
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Kat Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Kat arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Kat Family in Netherlands
The surname Kat is a classic example of a descriptive name that originated in the Low Countries. In Dutch, the word "kat" refers to a cat, and it was often used as a nickname for someone who possessed feline traits like agility, stealth, or a sharp temperament. By the time the family was firmly established in Amsterdam in 1815, the name had transitioned from a simple nickname into a stable hereditary surname used to identify specific households within the city’s growing population. During the early 19th century, Amsterdam was a bustling center of trade and industry, and families like the Kat lineage were often involved in the city’s maritime or mercantile sectors. These early records show that the family was part of the urban fabric of the Netherlands during a period of significant political change following the Napoleonic Wars. The name remains a reflection of the informal and observant naming traditions that were common in Dutch society centuries ago.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Katte
Middle Dutch term for a cat or a feline animal.
This name
KatA topographic or occupational name referring to someone who lived near a cat-shaped landmark or kept cats.
also spelled
Katt
Kat
Catt
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Bevolkingsregister van Amsterdam (Population Register of Amsterdam)
Nationaal Archief, Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Registry)
Leendert Brouwer, Nederlandse Familienamen Databank (2010)
P.J. Meertens, De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen (1963)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
