A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carrara family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7217 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 un char à quatre roues de gu., posé sur une terrasse de sin.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1770
Where the Carrara Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Carrara arms are recorded
The Carrara arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1770.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Belgium when the Carrara arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Brabant.
Origin & History of the Carrara Family in Belgium
The history of the Carrara family in Belgium begins to emerge clearly in the historical records of the Brabant region during the late eighteenth century. By 1770, members of the family were established within this area, which was then part of the Austrian Netherlands. During this period, the region functioned as a crossroads for trade and administration, often attracting families who worked in specialized crafts or local government roles. While the name itself has deep roots in southern Europe, its presence in Brabant suggests a migration pattern driven by the search for new economic opportunities or professional advancement in the bustling urban centers of the Low Countries. These early ancestors integrated into the local society, leaving behind traces in parish registers and civil documents that confirm their residency and daily contributions to the community long before the modern borders of Belgium were fully defined.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 un train de chariot avec ses quatre roues, le tout de gu., posé en pal, le limon en haut.”
VeniceVenice, c. 1775
Where the Carrara Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Carrara arms are recorded
The Carrara arms were recorded in Venice, c. 1775.
Venice ran on trade, and its great families were merchants before they were anything else. The city kept a formal list of its noble houses, and a name on that list carried arms as a matter of record.
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 Italy in this period.
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
Sovereign of the period
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
1763–1778
Reigning in Belgium when the Carrara arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Italy
In the Italian states, coats of arms were often used by noble families to show their status and history. These symbols were passed down through the generations to all legitimate male descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design but sometimes added small changes to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
Various local rulers and city governments controlled the use of coats of arms across the different Italian states.
How they got arms
Families often assumed their own arms or received them as official grants from local lords, popes, or city councils.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in local city archives or private family books rather than in one single national register.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Venice.
Origin & History of the Carrara Family in Italy
The Carrara family name is deeply rooted in the history of Northern Italy, where it emerged as a prominent force during the Middle Ages. The name is most famously associated with the powerful dynasty that ruled the city of Padua for several generations, transforming the region into a center for art and learning. While the family held significant political influence in Padua, members of the lineage also established themselves in other major Italian hubs, including the maritime republic of Venice. By the late eighteenth century, records confirm that the family maintained a presence in Venice, a city defined by its complex social hierarchies and trade networks. This migration between inland power centers and the coastal capital highlights the family’s ability to adapt to the shifting political landscape of the Italian peninsula. Throughout these centuries, the name remained linked to the broader cultural and economic development of the Veneto region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Carraria
Latin term referring to a carriage road or a quarry.
This name
CarraraA topographic name for someone who lived near a quarry or a road used for carts.
also spelled
Carrarah
Carrarae
Karara
Related arms
Carraresisimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief), Parish registers of the Duchy of Brabant
City Archives of Brussels (Stadsarchief Brussel), Registers of inhabitants and civil status
Duvosquel, J.M., Histoire de la Belgique: des origines à nos jours, 1996
Pirenne, Henri, Histoire de Belgique, 1900
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
