A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carrier family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 3944 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois ombres (poissons) d'arg., en fasce, surmontés d'une croix de Jérusalem d'or. C.: une tête et col de cygne.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1486
Where the Carrier Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Carrier arms are recorded
The Carrier arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1486.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his 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 France in this period.
Charles VIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles VIII of France
1483–1498
Reigning in France when the Carrier 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Carrier Family in France
The surname Carrier traces its roots back to the medieval period in France, where it functioned as an occupational name for individuals involved in the transport of goods. By 1486, historical records confirm the presence of the family in the Lorraine region, a territory known for its complex history and strategic position between French and Germanic influences. During this era, people often adopted names based on their daily labor, and a carrier was typically someone who operated carts or pack animals to move supplies across the rugged landscape. As the family established themselves in Lorraine, they became part of the local social fabric, likely contributing to the regional economy through trade and logistics. This early history reflects a time when surnames were still evolving from simple descriptions of a person’s role in their community into permanent family markers passed down through generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
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)
“Ec. d'arg. et de sa.”
SwitzerlandGenève, c. 1745
Where the Carrier Arms Were Recorded
Genève
Map of Switzerland showing where the Carrier arms are recorded
The Carrier arms were recorded in Genève, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Carrier Family in Switzerland
The surname Carrier traces its roots in Switzerland to the vibrant city of Genève, where records confirm the family was well-established by 1745. The name itself is occupational in origin, derived from the French word for a quarryman or a person who worked with stone. During the eighteenth century, Genève was a hub of craftsmanship and urban growth, and families like the Carriers often played vital roles in the construction and maintenance of the city’s expanding infrastructure. As members of the local community, these early Carriers integrated into the social and economic fabric of the region, likely working in trades that supported the city’s architectural development. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the local registers, reflecting the steady movement of laborers and tradespeople who helped shape the historical identity of the Swiss cantons.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a bend betw. three spears' heads or”
DerbyWirksworth · Derby, c. 1620
Where the Carrier Arms Were Recorded
Derby
Map of England showing where the Carrier arms are recorded
The Carrier arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1620.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into the heraldic 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Carrier 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 Derby.
Origin & History of the Carrier Family in England
The surname Carrier is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who transported goods or passengers. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the town of Derby. Records confirm that members of the Carrier family were living in this region by 1620, likely working within the local trade networks that defined the area. During this period, the name was closely associated with the movement of commodities across the English Midlands. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic life of Derby, contributing to the local community as merchants and laborers. This early history reflects the broader trend of families adopting surnames based on their daily work, which helped define their identity and role in English society for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
carrus
Latin term for a wheeled vehicle or wagon.
This name
CarrierAn occupational surname for a driver, carter, or transporter of goods.
also spelled
Karrier
Carryer
Caryer
Carriar
Related arms
Martin-Brigautsimilar arms
van der Eyckensimilar arms
Carriévariant spelling
Caryervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
