Map of Austria showing where the Charest arms are recorded
The Charest arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Charest Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Charest arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Charest Family in Austria
The family name Charest has deep roots that connect to the rugged landscapes of the Tyrol region. By the year 1772, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents within this mountainous area located between modern-day Austria and Italy. The name itself is often linked to the French word for a cart or carriage, suggesting that early ancestors may have been skilled tradespeople, farmers, or transporters who relied on these vehicles for their livelihood. As families moved across European borders during the eighteenth century, the Charest name traveled with them, marking their transition from local laborers to members of a broader regional community. This history reflects a time when surnames were frequently adopted based on a person’s daily work or their specific contribution to the local economy.
Charest Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
carrus
Latin term for a wheeled vehicle or cart.
This name
CharestAn occupational surname for a carter or someone who transported goods by wagon.
also spelled
Krest
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
