A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carminow family of England.
Reg. 5395 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a bend or, a chief of the last”
CornwallCornwall, c. 1620
Where the Carminow Arms Were Recorded
Cornwall
Map of England showing where the Carminow arms are recorded
The Carminow arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Carminow 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Carminow Family in England
The Carminow family name is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Cornwall, where the family established a significant presence long before the seventeenth century. The name itself is derived from the Cornish language, likely originating from the words "car," meaning a fort or camp, and "menow," which refers to a small stone or a specific location. By the time detailed records were being kept in 1620, the family was already well-known as a prominent landed gentry line with deep ties to the local community. They were deeply integrated into the social and political fabric of the region, often serving in local administrative roles and managing large estates across the Cornish countryside. Their history reflects the broader story of Cornish families who maintained strong regional identities while adapting to the shifting political landscape of England over many generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Karn
A Cornish term referring to a rocky outcrop or cairn.
This name
CarminowDerived from a place name in Cornwall, signifying someone who lived near a rocky hill or cairn.
also spelled
Carmynow
Carmynowe
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Polsue, Joseph, A Complete Parochial History of the County of Cornwall, 1867
Vivian, John Lambrick, The Visitations of Cornwall, Comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1530, 1573, & 1620, 1887
The National Archives, Records of the Court of Chancery, C 2/JasI/C1/47
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
