Map of France showing where the Serrato arms are recorded
The Serrato arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 Serrato 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the Serrato Family in France
The family name Serrato finds its roots in the linguistic evolution of the Romance languages, likely originating from the Latin word "serratus," which means jagged or saw-toothed. This term was often used to describe people who lived near sharp mountain ridges or those who worked as skilled woodcutters. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a documented presence in the Provence region of France. During this era, families in Provence were deeply integrated into the local agricultural and artisanal economy, often serving as pillars of their rural parishes. As the name spread across borders, it maintained its connection to the rugged landscapes of Southern Europe, reflecting a history tied to the land and the distinct geography of the Mediterranean coast.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Serratus
Latin term meaning toothed, jagged, or saw-like.
This name
SerratoRefers to someone who lived near a jagged mountain ridge or a saw-toothed geographical feature.
also spelled
Serat
Serratt
Cerrat
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil. 1663
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