A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carleton family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 3489 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
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. à la bande de sa., ch. de trois mâcles du champ, posées dans le sens de la bande. Cq. cour. C.: une tête et col de licorne de sa., la corne tort. d'or et de sa.”
Francec. 1626
Where the Carleton Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Carleton arms are recorded
The Carleton arms were recorded in France, c. 1626.
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.
Louis XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Carleton 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 France.
Origin & History of the Carleton Family in France
The Carleton name possesses deep roots in the historical landscape of France, particularly within the region of Brittany. By the year 1626, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this coastal area. During the seventeenth century, Brittany functioned as a distinct province with its own unique customs and strong ties to maritime trade. Families living in this region often navigated the complex social shifts caused by the religious and political tensions of the era. The presence of the Carleton name in these early Breton records suggests that the family was likely integrated into the local community through land ownership or professional roles within the provincial administration. As the family navigated life in western France, they contributed to the rich cultural tapestry of the region before the name eventually spread to other parts of Europe.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Erm. on a bend sa. three pheons ar”
CumberlandCarleton · Cumberland, c. 1620
Where the Carleton Arms Were Recorded
Cumberland
Map of England showing where the Carleton arms are recorded
The Carleton arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1620.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Carleton 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 Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Carleton Family in England
The Carleton family name is rooted in the landscape of northern England, specifically deriving from the Old Norse words for a settlement of free peasants. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Cumberland. This region was historically defined by its proximity to the Scottish border, which meant that families living there often had to be resilient and self-reliant. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Carleton family were active participants in the local community during this era. Their history is tied to the development of rural life in the north, where they lived as landowners and local figures who helped shape the social fabric of the borderlands. Over time, the name became synonymous with the rugged identity of the region, reflecting a long lineage of people who thrived in the challenging environment of the English north.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
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. on a bend sa. three mascles of the field”
TipperaryTipperary, c. 1645
Where the Carleton Arms Were Recorded
Tipperary
Map of Ireland showing where the Carleton arms are recorded
The Carleton arms were recorded in Tipperary, c. 1645.
Tipperary was the best grazing land in Ireland, held by a small number of powerful families. Land of that value stayed in the same hands, and unbroken holding is what puts a name in the records.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Carleton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Tipperary.
Origin & History of the Carleton Family in Ireland
The Carleton family name has deep roots in Ireland that trace back to the mid-seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in County Tipperary. The name itself is of English origin, derived from Old Norse and Old English words meaning a settlement of free peasants. When the family arrived in Ireland, they became part of the shifting social landscape during a time of significant political change. They integrated into the local community and eventually spread across various Irish counties. Over the following generations, the Carletons became landowners and participants in the local administration of their regions. Their presence in Tipperary serves as a starting point for understanding how this family transitioned from their origins to becoming a lasting part of the Irish historical narrative.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ceorl
Old English term for a free man or peasant.
This name
CarletonDerived from a place name meaning the settlement of the free men.
also spelled
Karlton
Carletton
Karleton
Carlton
Related arms
Carltonvariant spelling
Dakynsrecorded with Carleton, same area
Maneyrecorded with Carleton, same area
Five bellflowers erect pprrecorded with Carleton, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E: Familles et seigneuries
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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