Map of England showing where the Carlisle arms are recorded
The Carlisle 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 Carlisle 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 Carlisle Family in England
The family name Carlisle is a locative surname, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name is derived from the ancient city of Carlisle in Cumbria, which sits near the border of England and Scotland. During the medieval period, people who moved away from this city were often identified by their place of origin, leading to the name being adopted by various families. By the early 17th century, the name had spread across Northern England, and records confirm that members of the Carlisle family were well-established in York by 1620. These early families were likely part of the growing urban middle class, participating in the trade and civic life that defined York during the reign of King James I. As these individuals settled into new regions, the name evolved from a geographic descriptor into a permanent family identity passed down through generations.
Carlisle Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Luguvalos
Celtic name meaning strength of the god Lugus
This name
CarlisleDerived from the city name meaning the fortified place of Luguvalos
also spelled
Charles
Charless
Charlys
Related arms
Carlell, or Carlylevariant spelling
Carlillvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
