A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Charlier family of France.
Reg. 1361 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au palmier de sin., soutenu d'un croiss. d'azur; au chef du même, ch. de trois étoiles d'or.”
GuyenneGuyenne, c. 1663
Where the Charlier Arms Were Recorded
Guyenne
Map of France showing where the Charlier arms are recorded
The Charlier arms were recorded in Guyenne, c. 1663.
Guyenne was the great wine country of south-western France, shipping claret to England for centuries. The trade made merchant families rich, they bought vineyards and estates with the money, and land of that kind brought arms with it.
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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Charlier arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
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.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Guyenne.
Origin & History of the Charlier Family in France
The surname Charlier originates from the French language and is rooted in the medieval profession of a cartwright or a maker of carts. During the seventeenth century, the name was well-established in the Guyenne region of southwestern France. By 1663, records show that members of the Charlier family were active participants in the social and economic life of this area. As the region was known for its agricultural production and trade, families like the Charliers likely played a vital role in local transport and commerce. Over time, the name spread from these rural roots into various parts of France and beyond, reflecting the movement of families seeking new opportunities in different provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Karl
A Germanic word meaning free man or husbandman.
This name
CharlierA diminutive form referring to a person who is a free man.
also spelled
Charliar
Sharlyay
Charliere
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives Départementales de la Gironde. Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux de Guyenne. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
