A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Piatt family of France.
Reg. 8855 · French, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 une bannière d'or, frangée du même, en pal, la hampe sommée d'une aigle de l'Empire francais et tenue par une main d'arg., en fasce; le tout acc. d'une étoile d'arg., posée au canton dextre du chef.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Piatt arms are recorded
The Piatt 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 Piatt 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 Piatt Family in France
The family name Piatt has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were living by 1725. During this period, Brittany was a distinct province with a unique cultural identity and a strong connection to the sea. Families in this area often lived in small rural parishes where they worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople. The name itself likely evolved from local dialects common to the western part of France. As the eighteenth century progressed, many families from this region faced significant social and economic shifts that eventually encouraged some to seek new opportunities elsewhere. By tracing these early ancestors, we can see a family that was well-established within the local community long before the major political changes that reshaped the French nation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Plattus
Latin term meaning flat or broad.
This name
PiattA topographic name for someone who lived on a flat or level piece of land.
also spelled
Piatt
Piate
Pia
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, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
