A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Charite family of France.
lionCourage, strength and royaltyJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De gu. au lion d'or.”
The Charite arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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.
Reigning in France when the Charite arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Charite finds its roots in the historic region of Normandy, France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. In the French language, the word *charité* translates to charity, suggesting that the name likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a title of honor for an ancestor known for their kindness or religious devotion. During the seventeenth century, Normandy was a vibrant area defined by its agricultural output and its proximity to the sea, which shaped the daily lives of those living there. Families with this name were part of the local social fabric, likely working as farmers, artisans, or tradespeople within their parish communities. As the family grew, they remained deeply connected to the cultural traditions of northern France, eventually carrying their name and heritage into the broader history of the region.
Latin term for dearness, affection, or high regard.
