Map of England showing where the Charlesworth arms are recorded
The Charlesworth arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them 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.
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 Charlesworth 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 York.
Origin & History of the Charlesworth Family in England
The surname Charlesworth is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from an Old English location known as Charlesworth, which is situated in the county of Derbyshire. The name itself combines the personal name Ceorl with the word worth, which historically referred to an enclosed homestead or a small settlement. By the early 17th century, members of the family had moved away from their ancestral roots in the Peak District and established a presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that by 1620, the Charlesworth name was already well-integrated into the social and economic life of this northern hub. As the family grew, they became part of the regional fabric of Yorkshire, transitioning from their origins as residents of a small rural enclosure to becoming established citizens in one of England’s most important medieval cities.
Charlesworth Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ceorl
An Old English term for a free peasant or common man.
This name
CharlesworthA habitational name referring to a homestead or enclosure belonging to a freeman.
also spelled
Charleswirth
Charleswarth
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
