A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cardon family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9954 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
plant thistleDefiance, and the defence of Scotland
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or à trois chardons de sin., sans feuilles, fleuris au nat. C.: un chardon de l'écu. D.: CRESCIT IN ARDUIS.”
BelgiumGand, c. 1861
Where the Cardon Arms Were Recorded
Gand
Map of Belgium showing where the Cardon arms are recorded
The Cardon arms were recorded in Gand, c. 1861.
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 Belgium in this period.
Leopold I of Belgium
Sovereign of the period
Leopold I of Belgium
1831–1865
Reigning in Belgium when the Cardon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Cardon Family in Belgium
The history of the Cardon family in Belgium is deeply rooted in the industrial and social landscape of the Flanders region. By the mid-nineteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Ghent, which was then a major hub for the textile industry. During this period, Ghent was undergoing rapid modernization, and families like the Cardons often participated in the city's growing commercial life. The name itself likely originated from occupational roots related to the carding of wool, a vital process in the local cloth trade that defined the economy of the region for centuries. As the family settled into the urban environment of Ghent by 1861, they became part of a long tradition of artisans and merchants who helped shape the identity of the city. Their presence reflects the broader movement of families who contributed to the economic development of Belgium during the Industrial Revolution.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au chev. d'or, acc. de trois annelets du même.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1497
Where the Cardon Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Cardon arms are recorded
The Cardon arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1497.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Charles VIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles VIII of France
1483–1498
Reigning in Belgium when the Cardon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
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.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Cardon Family in France
The family name Cardon has deep roots in the northeastern region of France known as Lorraine. By the year 1497, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area, which served as a vital crossroads between French and Germanic cultures. The name itself is thought to be linked to the French word for the cardoon plant, a relative of the artichoke that was commonly grown in medieval gardens for its edible stalks. In the late fifteenth century, families often took names based on the crops they cultivated or the local landscape where they lived. Because Lorraine was a center for agriculture and trade during this period, the Cardon family likely played a role in the rural economy of the region. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, living through the shifting borders and political changes that defined the history of the Lorraine duchy.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crossbowReadiness for battle and skill at arms
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a cross bow in bend betw. two pheons ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cardon Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cardon arms are recorded
The Cardon 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 Belgium when the Cardon 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 Cardon Family in England
The surname Cardon has roots that stretch back into the medieval period, often linked to the occupation of carding wool, which was a vital part of the textile industry in northern England. By the early 17th century, the family established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Cardon family were active participants in the social and economic life of this region. During this era, York served as a major hub for trade and craftsmanship, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. The presence of the name in parish registers and local legal documents from this time suggests that the Cardons were integrated into the local community as tradespeople or landowners. This period marked a time of transition in England, and the family’s documented history in York reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the identity of northern English towns through their daily work and civic contributions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Carduus
Latin term for a thistle or a prickly plant.
This name
CardonA topographic name for someone who lived near a patch of thistles or a prickly thicket.
also spelled
Cardonn
Cardonne
Cardons
Cardoun
Cardun
Related arms
Cardin, or Cardenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Potter, Frans and Jan Broeckaert, Geschiedenis van de gemeenten der provincie Oost-Vlaanderen, 1864–1903
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief te Gent), Bevolkingsregisters van de stad Gent, 1861
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plant thistleDefiance, and the defence of Scotland
plant thistleDefiance, and the defence of Scotland
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crossbowReadiness for battle and skill at arms
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
