A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kathol family of France.
Reg. 6115 · French, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à un griffon pass. d'arg.; au chef de gu., ch. de trois étoiles d'arg.”
AuvergneAuvergne, c. 1663
Where the Kathol Arms Were Recorded
Auvergne
Map of France showing where the Kathol arms are recorded
The Kathol 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 Kathol 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 Kathol Family in France
The family name Kathol carries a rich history that traces back to the mountainous region of Auvergne, France, where records confirm the family’s presence as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Auvergne was a rugged landscape defined by its volcanic terrain and isolated rural communities. Families like the Kathols were often deeply connected to the land, likely working as skilled laborers or farmers who contributed to the local economy of the central French highlands. The name itself reflects the linguistic shifts of the era, potentially evolving from regional dialects that described a person’s trade, their specific village of origin, or their religious devotion. As the family moved through the generations, they remained part of the social fabric of the Auvergne region, navigating the challenges of life under the French monarchy and the changing agricultural practices of the time. This long-standing history highlights a lineage rooted in persistence and local identity within one of France's most distinct historical provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Catholicus
Derived from the Greek word meaning universal or relating to the whole.
This name
KatholAn occupational or habitational surname historically denoting a person of the Catholic faith.
also spelled
Cathol-Deffan
Cathol-Deffand
Cathol
Kathol
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Puy-de-Dôme, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Boudet, Marcellin, Études historiques sur la province d'Auvergne, 1898
Fournier, Gabriel, Le peuplement rural en Basse-Auvergne durant le haut Moyen Âge, 1962
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
