Map of England showing where the Pettet arms are recorded
The Pettet 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 Pettet 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 Pettet Family in England
The family name Pettet has deep roots in the county of Kent, where records confirm members of the family were well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name is generally considered a variation of the French word petit, which translates to small or little. During the medieval period, such names were often used as descriptive nicknames to distinguish between two people with the same first name, such as a father and a son. Over many generations, these nicknames became permanent surnames that were passed down to children. By the time the family was documented in Kent in 1620, the name had evolved into its current spelling and was firmly integrated into the local community. These early ancestors were likely part of the rural population that shaped the agricultural and social landscape of southeastern England during a time of significant change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Petrus
Latin for rock or stone.
This name
PettetA diminutive form of Peter, historically used as a nickname for a small or young person.
also spelled
Pettit
Petyt
Pettot
Related arms
Pettitsimilar arms
Petytvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills and other probate records, 1384–1858
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
