Contents [hide]

Charles History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Charles History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Ireland
Scotland

The surname Charles is an Anglicization of the Irish Mac Coirleasa. Later the name evolved to Mac Cathail and Mac Carluis. The forename Cathal is equivalent to Charles. 1

Early Origins of the Charles family

The surname Charles was first found in Ui Maine, but now the name is mostly found in Co. Galway. 1

O'Hart notes that Cathal, brother of Inrachtach was the ancestor of O'Donallain which is Anglicized as Donnellan. "This Cathal was the 18th Christian King of Connaught." 2 His son, Ardgall "died a saint at Hye, in Scotland A.D. 786." Cathal as a forename continued in this lineage for many years.

Early History of the Charles family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Charles research. Another 220 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1356, 1390, 1432, 1571, 1585, 1612, 1626, 1817, 1840 and 1856 are included under the topic Early Charles History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Charles Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Corless, Corliss, Carlos, Charles, MacCorless, MacCathail and many more.

Early Notables of the Charles family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Hugh MacCauaghwell (1571-1626), who was appointed the Archbishop of Armagh in the year that he died. Henry George...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Charles Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Charles World Ranking

In the United States, the name Charles is the 537^th most popular surname with an estimated 54,714 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Charles is ranked the 758^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,029 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Charles is the 547^th popular surname. 5 France ranks Charles as 106^th with 27,035 people. 6 Australia ranks Charles as 633^rd with 6,165 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Charles as 589^th with 11,058 people. 8 South Africa ranks Charles as 1,000^th with 6,846 people. 9

Charles migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Charles Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mildreth Charles, who arrived in America in 1620 10
John Charles, who settled in Virginia in 1634
William Charles, aged 21, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance" 10
Dorothie Charles, aged 20, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Transport" 10
Jon Charles, who landed in Virginia in 1637 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Charles Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Peter Charles, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 10
Jean Charles, aged 30, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719 10
Patrick Charles, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 10
Charles John, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1798 10

Charles Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Charles, who landed in America in 1806 10
Andrew Charles, who landed in New York in 1833 10
Robert Charles, who landed in New York in 1837 10
David Charles, who arrived in New York in 1848 10
S M Charles, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Charles migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Charles Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Catherine Charles, who arrived in Montreal in 1659
Sieur De Charles, who arrived in Montreal in 1659
Michel Charles, son of Etienne and Madeleine, who married Jeanne Cadieu, daughter of Jean and Marie, in Boucherville, Quebec on 16th June 1698 11

Charles Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Clément Charles, son of Étienne and Madeleine, who married Marie Dupré, daughter of Antoine and Élisabeth, in Quebec on 4th January 1700 11
Jean-Baptiste Charles, son of Etienne and Madeleine, who married Marie-Anne Bourdon, daughter of Jacques and Marie, in Boucherville, Quebec on 29th October 1715 11
Louis Charles, son of André and Marie, who married Marie-Anne Bonier, daughter of Jacques and Geneviève, in Quebec on 17th January 1718 11
Charles Delage was married in 1723 in St-Laurent-Isle-D'Orleans
Antoine Charles, son of Clément and Marie, who married Marie-Françoise Beaumont, daughter of Vincent and Françoise, in Terrebonne, Quebec on 21st February 1735 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Charles migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Charles Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Charles, Welsh convict who was convicted in Glamorganshire, Wales for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 1st October 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
Mr. Michael Charles, (b. 1823), aged 20, Irish house servant who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 10 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Constant" on 9th May 1843, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1852 13
Joseph Charles, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Indian" in 1849 14
Robert Charles, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "John Mitchell" in 1849 15
Thomas Charles, aged 24, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Samuel Boddington" in 1849 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Charles migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Charles Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Charles, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Pegasus" in 1865
Robert Charles, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Armstrong" in 1865
Mrs. Charles, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "England" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 22nd September 1865 17
John Charles, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Chile" in 1866
Mary A. Charles, aged 30, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Chile" in 1874
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Charles migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18

Charles Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Phillip Charles was banished to Barbados in 1680 taking his servants with him

Contemporary Notables of the name Charles (post 1700) +

Walter Charles (1945-2023), born Walter Charles Jacobsen, an American actor and singer, known for Prancer (1989), If Looks Could Kill (1991) and A Fine Mess (1986)
Midwin Charles (1973-2021), Haitian-American defense attorney, legal analyst for American television channels CNN and MSNBC
RuPaul Andre Charles (b. 1960), known as RuPaul an American drag queen, actor, model, singer, songwriter, and television personality. Best known for RuPaul's Drag Race which has received eight Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2017, he was included in the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. In 1994, he became a spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics, raising money for the Mac AIDS Fund and becoming the first drag queen to land a major cosmetics campaign
Edwin Douglas Charles (1933-2018), American Major League Baseball third baseman who played from 1962 to 1969
Robert Edwin "Bob" Charles (1936-2016), American-born, Australian politician, Member of the Australian Parliament for La Trobe (1990-2004), Australian Consul-General in Chicago (2005-2008)
Ray Charles (1918-2015), born Charles Raymond Offenberg, an American musician, singer, songwriter, vocal arranger and conductor who is best known as organizer and leader of the Ray Charles Singers
Ray Charles (1930-2004), born Ray Charles Robinson, American pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s
Jamaal RaShaad Jones Charles (b. 1986), American football running back
Tina Charles (b. 1988), American women's basketball player
Edgar U. Charles, American politician, Postmaster at Darlington Court House, South Carolina, 1821-22 19
... (Another 40 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Charles family +

Hillcrest Coal Mine

Mr. Charles Sydney Charles (1891-1914), Welsh Miner from Wrexlam, Clwyd, Wales, United Kingdom who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse 20

HMS Dorsetshire

Giraldus Baker Charles, British Captain's Steward aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 21
Gerald Charles, British aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 21

RMS Lusitania

Miss Eleanor Charles, American 2nd Class passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 22
Mr. Joseph Henry Charles, Canadian 1st Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 23
Miss Doris Maud Charles, Canadian 1st Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 23

The Charles Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Subditus fidelis regis et salus regni
Motto Translation: A subject faithful to the King and the safety of the kingdom

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bussorah-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/constant
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The INDIAN 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Indian.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The JOHN MITCHELL 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849JohnMitchell.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SAMUEL BODDINGTON 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849SamuelBoddington.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
List Of Miners - Hillcrest Mine Disaster Data. (Retrieved 2014, June 24) . Retrieved from http://www.hillcrestminedisaster.com/data/index.php?title=List_Of_Miners
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/