A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carbonell family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7538 · Spanish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au chev. d'arg., acc. en chef de trois étoiles rangées du même, et en p. d'un lévrier pass. sur une terrasse au nat.”
CataloniaCatalonia, c. 1722
Where the Carbonell Arms Were Recorded
Catalonia
Map of Spain showing where the Carbonell arms are recorded
The Carbonell arms were recorded in Catalonia, c. 1722.
Catalonia lived by sea trade, and its merchant houses were as powerful as its landowners. Both sorts of family took arms, and Barcelona kept records of the houses entitled to bear them.
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 Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in Spain when the Carbonell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Catalonia.
Origin & History of the Carbonell Family in Spain
The Carbonell family name has deep roots in the Catalonia region of northeastern Spain, where it emerged as a distinct surname during the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Catalan word *carbon*, which refers to charcoal, suggesting that the earliest members of the family were likely involved in the charcoal-making trade or lived near areas where this industry thrived. By the early 18th century, the family was well-established in the social and economic life of the region, as evidenced by records confirming their presence in Catalonia by 1722. During this period, the Carbonells were often integrated into the local agrarian and merchant classes, contributing to the development of the rural landscape and the growing trade networks of the Mediterranean coast. As the family grew, they became a recognizable part of the Catalan community, maintaining their identity through generations of local craftsmanship and regional administration.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. a cross ar. a border engr. or”
RutlandRutland, c. 1378
Where the Carbonell Arms Were Recorded
Rutland
Map of England showing where the Carbonell arms are recorded
The Carbonell arms were recorded in Rutland, c. 1378.
Rutland is the smallest English county, but its land was good and its manors were held by families of standing. A small county with good land still produces its share of recorded arms.
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 England in this period.
Richard II of England
Sovereign of the period
Richard II of England
1377–1399
Reigning in Spain when the Carbonell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Rutland.
Origin & History of the Carbonell Family in England
The Carbonell family established a notable presence in England by the late fourteenth century, with specific records placing members of the lineage in the county of Rutland by 1378. The name itself is of continental origin, likely derived from a descriptive term related to coal or dark coloring, which suggests that the family may have migrated to the British Isles from parts of France or the Low Countries during the medieval period. Upon arriving in England, the family integrated into the local social structure, often appearing in legal and land-holding documents that track their transition from newcomers to established members of the gentry. By settling in Rutland, they became part of the regional administrative life of the time, participating in the complex web of property ownership and local governance that defined the era. Their early history reflects the broader movement of families across Europe who sought new opportunities and land in the English countryside during the Middle Ages.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
carbo
Latin term referring to coal or charcoal.
This name
CarbonellA topographic name for someone who lived near a charcoal burner or worked as one.
also spelled
Carbonel
Karbonel
Karbonell
Carbonill
Related arms
Thonnevelsimilar arms
Carbonelvariant spelling
Carbonnelvariant spelling
Carbonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Alcover, Antoni Maria and Moll, Francesc de Borja. Diccionari català-valencià-balear. 1962
Moll, Francesc de Borja. Els llinatges catalans. 1959
Arxiu de la Corona d'Aragó, Registre de la Reial Cancelleria
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
