Map of England showing where the Cardoza arms are recorded
The Cardoza 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 Cardoza 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 Cardoza Family in England
The surname Cardoza is historically rooted in the Iberian Peninsula, where it evolved from the Portuguese and Spanish word cardo, meaning thistle. This name was often used as a topographic descriptor for families who lived near fields of wild thistles or on rugged, thorny terrain. By the early 17th century, members of the family had migrated across Europe, establishing a notable presence in the English city of York by 1620. During this era, families often moved to major trading hubs like York to pursue new economic opportunities in commerce and craft. This transition marked a significant shift for the family as they integrated into the local social fabric of Northern England while maintaining the linguistic heritage of their Mediterranean origins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cardoso
Derived from the Portuguese word for a thistle or cardoon plant.
This name
CardozaA locative surname originally denoting someone who lived near a place where thistles grew.
also spelled
Cardoso
Cardoza
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Hanks, Patrick and Hodges, Flavia. A Dictionary of Surnames. 1988
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I. 1620
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
branchPeace, and new growth
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
branchPeace, and new growth
