A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cardwell family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0267 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. de sa., acc. en p. d'une tête de femme de carn., cour. d'or, posée de front; au chef du sec., ch. de deux têtes pareilles. C.: un chevalier, arm. de toutes pièces, ch. sur la poitrine d'une croix pattée de gu. et tenant de sa main dextre une masse d'armes. T.: deux chevaliers, arm. de toutes pièces, ch. sur la poitrine d'une croix pattée de gu. et tenant chacun une hache d'armes. D.: 1° AGISSEZ HONNÊTEMENT; 2° VAILLANT ET VEILLANT. (d'or.”
Francec. 1874
Where the Cardwell Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Cardwell arms are recorded
The Cardwell arms were recorded in France, c. 1874.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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.
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 France.
Origin & History of the Cardwell Family in France
The history of the Cardwell name in France is deeply tied to the rugged landscape and maritime culture of the Bretagne region. While the name itself has roots that stretch across the English Channel, family members were firmly established in this northwestern corner of France by 1874. During this period, Bretagne was a hub of industrial growth and agricultural development, which likely influenced the movement and settlement of the family. Living in such a distinct cultural area, these early ancestors were part of a society that valued local traditions and strong community bonds. Their presence in the region during the late nineteenth century suggests that they were integrated into the local economy and social life of the French coast. By examining the records from this time, we can see how the family adapted to the unique environment of Bretagne while maintaining their identity.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a chev. sa. in base a maiden's head erased ppr. ducally crowned or, on a chief of the second two maidens' heads erased ppr. ducally crowned or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cardwell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cardwell arms are recorded
The Cardwell 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 France when the Cardwell 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 Cardwell Family in England
The surname Cardwell is an English locative name, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place rather than an occupation or a personal trait. Historical evidence places early members of the family in the city of York by the year 1620, where they were likely part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that defined the region. The name itself is believed to originate from a now-lost or obscure settlement, possibly located in the northern counties where the phonetic structure of the name fits local naming patterns. As families moved from these rural areas into the bustling urban center of York, the name became established in parish records and legal documents. By the seventeenth century, the Cardwells were integrated into the social fabric of Northern England, contributing to the local economy and the steady development of city life during a period of significant transition in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cardu-uall
Derived from Old French words meaning thistle and wall or rampart.
This name
CardwellRefers to a person who lived near a fortified place or a wall covered in thistles.
also spelled
Cardwelll
Cardwelle
Cardwels
Cardwel
Cardweil
Related arms
Cardweilvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, État civil, 1874
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Recensement de la population, 1874
Gallouedec, Louis, La Bretagne, 1917
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
