Martlet
/ˈmɑːt.lət/noun
A stylized heraldic bird, traditionally depicted without visible feet.
Did you know?In medieval heraldry, the martlet’s footless design was interpreted symbolically: it could never perch, linking the bird with restless movement and the status of a younger son without inherited land.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
merula
“Blackbird, especially the common blackbird.”
Old French
Old French
merle
“Blackbird; descended from Latin merula.”
Medieval French
Old French
merlette
“A little blackbird, using the diminutive suffix -ette.”
Late 14th Century
Middle English
martlet
“A heraldic representation of a small bird, traditionally shown without feet; the form was altered from French merlette.”
Modern English
English
martlet
“A footless heraldic bird used as an emblem or charge.”