A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Petty family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 0999 · French, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'herm. à la bande d'azur ch. d'une aiguille magnétique d'or, dirigée vers une étoile du même en haut de la bande. C.: une ruche entourée d'abeilles, au nat. S.: à dextre un Pégase d'herm., criné, bridé, ailé et onglé d'or, ch. sur l'épaule d'une fleur-de-lis d'azur; à sén. un griffon d'or. D.: UT APES GEOMETRIAM.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Petty arms are recorded
The Petty arms were recorded in France, 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 Petty 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 Petty Family in France
The family name Petty has deep roots in the historical landscape of France, particularly within the region of Brittany. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this coastal area. The name likely evolved from descriptive nicknames used in medieval times to identify individuals by their physical stature or temperament. In the context of Brittany, families often lived in tight-knit rural communities where local officials tracked them through parish registers. These early ancestors were likely farmers or tradespeople who contributed to the unique cultural identity of the Breton people. As they moved through the eighteenth century, the family became part of the social fabric of the region, leaving behind a trail of documents that reflect the daily lives of ordinary citizens during a time of significant transition in French history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Quarterly, or and az. on a bend vert three martlets of the first”
WarwickIlmington · Warwick, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Petty arms are recorded
The Petty arms were recorded in Warwick, c. 1620.
Warwickshire lay in the middle of England, and its landed families were spread evenly across it rather than gathered in one corner. A great many held a single manor each, and each of those holdings brought its own claim 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Petty 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 Warwick.
Origin & History of the Petty Family in England
The surname Petty has roots that stretch back to medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname. In Old French, the word "petit" meant small or little, and it was commonly used to distinguish a younger family member or a person of slight stature from an elder relative with the same name. By the time the family was firmly established in Warwick by 1620, the name had evolved from a simple descriptor into a formal hereditary surname. During this period, the Petty family lived in a region known for its strong ties to the wool trade and local governance. As the family grew in Warwick, they integrated into the social and economic life of the town, transitioning from their humble linguistic origins into a recognized part of the local community. This shift reflects the broader history of English surnames, where nicknames gradually became permanent family identifiers passed down through generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Quarterly, or and az., on a bend vert three martlets of the first”
OxfordStoke-Talmach · Oxford, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Petty arms are recorded
The Petty arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1645.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat 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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Petty arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Oxford.
Origin & History of the Petty Family in Ireland
The history of the Petty family in Ireland is deeply connected to the career of Sir William Petty, who arrived in the country during the mid-17th century. Before his move to Ireland, William Petty was a brilliant scholar and physician who was active in Oxford around 1645. He traveled to Ireland in 1652 to serve as a physician to the English army during the Cromwellian conquest. Following his service, he was commissioned to lead the Down Survey, which was a massive project to map Irish land ownership for the purpose of redistributing property to soldiers and creditors. Through this work, he acquired vast estates in County Kerry and other regions, establishing the family as prominent landowners. This transition from an academic life in England to a position of significant influence in Ireland shaped the family name for generations to come.
Petty Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Petit
Derived from the Old French word meaning small or little.
This name
PettyA descriptive nickname originally used to identify a person of small stature.
also spelled
Pety
Pettie
Petye
Related arms
Eardleysame arms
Petye, Pettie, or Pettysame arms
Yardeleysame arms
Belasyserecorded with Petty, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E: Familles et seigneuries
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
