A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Charter family of England.
Reg. 1043 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Erm. two torteaux a chief az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Charter Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Charter arms are recorded
The Charter arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
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 Charter 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 England.
Origin & History of the Charter Family in England
The surname Charter is rooted in the medieval period and likely originated as a descriptive name for someone who worked with legal documents or held a royal charter. By the early 17th century, members of the Charter family were well-established in the historic city of York. Records confirm their presence in this region by 1620, placing them in a city that served as a major center for trade and administration in Northern England. During this era, families with this name were often involved in local commerce or civic duties, contributing to the growth of the city as it navigated the political shifts of the Stuart period. The name reflects a history tied to the professional and social development of York, where early generations lived and worked alongside other prominent local families.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chartre
Old French term for a legal document or written deed.
This name
CharterAn occupational name for a person who produced or kept official legal charters.
also spelled
Chartre
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
