A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Charlett family of England.
Reg. 1733 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a lion ramp. within a bordure engr. ar”
WorcesterHanley Court · Worcester, c. 1620
Where the Charlett Arms Were Recorded
Worcester
Map of England showing where the Charlett arms are recorded
The Charlett arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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 Charlett 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Charlett Family in England
The surname Charlett is a patronymic name that likely evolved from a diminutive form of the name Charles. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Worcester, where they became integrated into the local professional and religious life of the region. Records from 1620 suggest that the family was already well-settled in this area, eventually producing figures who held significant positions within the Church of England and the academic circles of Oxford. The name reflects a long history of English naming traditions where personal names were adapted into permanent family identifiers through common usage. Over generations, the Charlett family maintained a reputation for scholarship and public service, leaving a documented footprint in the administrative and historical records of Worcestershire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Charles
Derived from the Germanic word karl meaning a free man.
This name
CharlettA diminutive form representing a little or feminine version of a free man.
also spelled
Charlety
Related arms
Jonessimilar arms
Newportrecorded with Charlett, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Nash, Treadway Russell. Collections for the History of Worcestershire. 1781
The National Archives. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Will of Arthur Charlett. 1722
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service. Parish Registers of St Swithun, Worcester. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
