A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carus family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8114 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. on a chev. betw. nine cinquefoils ar. three mullets gu”
WestmorlandKendall · Westmorland, c. 1620
Where the Carus Arms Were Recorded
Westmorland
Map of England showing where the Carus arms are recorded
The Carus arms were recorded in Westmorland, 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 England when the Carus 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 Westmorland.
Origin & History of the Carus Family in England
The history of the Carus family in England is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Westmorland, where the name appears in local records as early as the seventeenth century. By 1620, the family had established a notable presence in this northern region, particularly around the town of Kendal. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the Latin word for dear or beloved, which suggests it may have originated as a descriptive nickname before evolving into a formal surname. During this period, members of the family were often involved in the local wool trade and civic governance, reflecting the growing influence of merchant families in the north of England. As they settled into the community, the Carus name became synonymous with the development of Westmorland, linking the family to the social and economic shifts of the Stuart era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. on a chev. sa. betw. nine cinquefoils pierced az. as many mullets or”
DublinDublin, c. 1593
Where the Carus Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Carus arms are recorded
The Carus arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1593.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Carus 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 Dublin.
Origin & History of the Carus Family in Ireland
The history of the Carus name in Ireland is deeply connected to the administrative and social growth of Dublin during the late sixteenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were established in the city by 1593, a time when Dublin was transitioning into a major center of English colonial administration. During this period, individuals bearing the name were likely involved in the professional or merchant classes that supported the city’s expanding bureaucracy. Because the name appears in early legal and civic documents, it suggests that the family held a stable position within the urban landscape of the Pale. Over the following decades, the family integrated into the local community, moving from their initial presence in the capital to various roles within the evolving Irish social structure. This early residency in Dublin provided a foundation for the name to persist in historical records as the city grew into a significant political hub.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Carus
Latin adjective meaning dear, beloved, or precious.
This name
CarusA nickname or occupational name derived from the Latin term for a beloved person.
also spelled
Carouse
Related arms
Carreusvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Curwen, John F., Records of Kendale, 1923
Nicholson, Joseph and Burn, Richard, The History and Antiquities of the Counties of Westmorland and Cumberland, 1777
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
