A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Car family of France.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commanderJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De gu. à la bande”
The Car arms were recorded in Bourbonnais, c. 1663.
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.
Reigning in France when the Car arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Car traces its deep roots to the historic province of Bourbonnais in central France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this region, which was known for its rolling hills and strong agricultural traditions. During the seventeenth century, families in Bourbonnais often lived in small rural communities where they worked the land or practiced skilled trades. The name likely evolved from local dialects or geographic descriptions common to the area at that time. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the province, contributing to the local economy and community life long before the modern era. This early presence in Bourbonnais provides a clear starting point for understanding how the family name took hold and persisted through generations of French history.
A Latin term referring to a four-wheeled wagon or cart.
