Map of England showing where the Carda arms are recorded
The Carda arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Carda 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 England.
Origin & History of the Carda Family in England
The Carda family name has roots that trace back to the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Cardas were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city's economy. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or occupational descriptions common in Northern England during the seventeenth century. As the family established their presence in the city, they became part of the social fabric of a community recovering from the political shifts of the Elizabethan era. By maintaining a steady presence in York, the early Cardas contributed to the long-standing history of one of England’s most significant medieval cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Carduus
Latin term for a thistle or prickly plant.
This name
CardaA topographical name for someone who lived near a patch of thistles or prickly plants.
also spelled
Kard
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1600–1650
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