A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carrington family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6812 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'or au chev. coticé, acc. de trois griffons naiss., les deux du chef affr., le tout de sa. C.: une tête d'éléphant d'or, l'oreille de gu., le col ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'azur, 2 et 1. S.: deux griffons de sa., ailés, m. et bq. d'or, le corps ch. de trois trèfles d'or, rangés en pal. D.: TENAX ET FIDELIS. (rington.”
Francec. 1796
Where the Carrington Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Carrington arms are recorded
The Carrington arms were recorded in France, c. 1796.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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.
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 France.
Origin & History of the Carrington Family in France
The history of the Carrington name in France is deeply linked to the turbulent period following the French Revolution. While the name itself has roots in England, records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne by 1796. During this time, the area was a center for political unrest and social change, forcing many families to adapt to new administrative systems and shifting borders. Those living in Bretagne during the late 18th century often navigated a landscape shaped by both local traditions and the revolutionary government. By settling in this coastal province, the family became part of a unique cultural tapestry where maritime trade and rural life defined the daily experience. Their presence in the region during this era suggests a history of resilience and integration within a society undergoing a complete transformation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. on a bend sa. three lozenges of the field”
CheshireCheshire, c. 1620
Where the Carrington Arms Were Recorded
Cheshire
Map of England showing where the Carrington arms are recorded
The Carrington arms were recorded in Cheshire, c. 1620.
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 Carrington 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 Cheshire.
Origin & History of the Carrington Family in England
The Carrington family name originates from a locational surname rooted in the county of Cheshire, England. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family were well-established in this region, where they lived as part of the local landed gentry and agricultural community. The name itself is derived from the Old English words for a settlement or farmstead belonging to a person named Cara. During the 1620s, the family was deeply integrated into the social and economic life of the Cheshire countryside, participating in the local parish systems and managing land holdings that had been passed down through generations. This period marked a time of stability for the family, as they helped shape the rural landscape of northwest England while maintaining their identity as a distinct local lineage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Carington
Derived from the Old English personal name Cara meaning dear or beloved.
This name
CarringtonRefers to a settlement or town belonging to the family of Cara.
also spelled
Carington
Karington
Carringtonn
Caryngton
Related arms
Bondivile, or Bonvilerecorded with Carrington, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série L (Administration départementale de 1790 à 1800)
Le Goff, T.J.A., Vannes and its Region: A Study of Town and Country in Eighteenth-Century France, 1981
Tilly, Charles, The Vendée: A Sociological Analysis of the Counter-Revolution of 1793, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
