Map of England showing where the Carns arms are recorded
The Carns arms were recorded in Westmoreland, c. 1620.
Westmorland was fell country in the north-west, farmed in small holdings by families who stayed put. Land changed hands rarely there, and families who held on for generations ended up with 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 Carns 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 Westmoreland.
Origin & History of the Carns Family in England
The family name Carns has deep roots in the rugged landscape of Westmoreland, England, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1620. The name is generally considered a topographic surname, which means it likely described the specific environment where the original ancestors lived. In the local dialect of the region, the term often related to piles of stones or rocky outcrops that marked the landscape. Families living near these distinct stone landmarks were frequently identified by their neighbors through this association. Over many generations, this descriptive label transitioned from a simple way to identify a person’s home into a permanent family name passed down through the centuries. By the early 17th century, the Carns family was well-established within the local community, participating in the agricultural and social life of the northern English countryside.
Carns Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cairn
A mound of rough stones built as a memorial or landmark.
This name
CarnsA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent stone landmark or burial mound.
also spelled
Carnusse
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
