A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carthew family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4263 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, a chev. gu. betw. three falcons ppr”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Carthew Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Carthew arms are recorded
The Carthew arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on 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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Carthew arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Carthew Family in Ireland
The Carthew family name has a distinct presence in the historical records of Ireland, particularly within the city of Dublin. By the year 1645, members of the family were already established residents in the capital, navigating a period defined by significant political and social upheaval. While the name is often associated with Cornish origins, its early appearance in Irish documents suggests that the family integrated into the urban life of Dublin during the mid-seventeenth century. These early settlers likely participated in the trade and administrative activities that characterized the city at that time. As they settled into their new environment, the Carthews became part of the diverse social fabric of Ireland, leaving behind traces in official registers that confirm their status as long-standing inhabitants of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, a chev. sa. betw. three murrs ppr”
SuffolkWoodbridge Abbey · Suffolk, c. 1620
Where the Carthew Arms Were Recorded
Suffolk
Map of England showing where the Carthew arms are recorded
The Carthew arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1620.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of 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 Ireland when the Carthew 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 Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Carthew Family in England
The Carthew family name has deep roots in the English landscape, with early records confirming their presence in the county of Suffolk by the year 1620. While the name is often associated with the rugged terrain of Cornwall, the Suffolk branch demonstrates how families moved and established themselves across different regions during the seventeenth century. The name itself is believed to derive from the Cornish language, likely originating from the words for a fort or a stone hedge. As these early family members settled into life in East Anglia, they integrated into the local community as farmers and tradespeople. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who sought new opportunities in different parts of England while maintaining the traditions and identity of their ancestral heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Carthach
An ancient Gaelic personal name derived from the word for loving.
This name
CarthewA patronymic surname signifying a descendant of the loving or beloved one.
also spelled
Cartheu
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
O'Hart, John. Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation. 1892
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin
Representative Church Body Library, Parish Registers of St. Werburgh's, Dublin
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
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
