SAID

This surname can be found on the Militia Roster of 1417 but has roots in Sicily dating back to at least the twelfth century.

In Arabic, sayyid means “sir, lord, master” and ziyada means “growth, to increase”. The common personal name Sa’id means “happy, blissful, prosperous” whilst Saida (or Sayda) is the more recent name for the ancient Ancient Phoenician city of Sidon.

Argent (silver/white) in heraldry indicates purity, innocence, sincerity and peace. It is seen here both as a field and as the tincture of the charge (a cat). Cats represent vigilance, warrior spirit and courage.