Carret History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Carret history begins in Cornwall, a rugged coastal region in southwestern England. Quite distinct from Devon, the adjoining county, Cornwall had its own spoken language until the late 18th century. The Carret history began here. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames were derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. Unlike most Celtic peoples, who favored patronymic names, the Cornish predominantly used local surnames. The Carret family originally lived in Cornwall. This name is derived from Welsh surname Caeriw, meaning dweller at the fort on the hill.

However, "we come upon a disputed etymology. Mr Carew in his 'Survey of Cornwall' tells us that 'his first ancestor came out of France with William the Conqueror by the name Karrow.' Karo, or Caro, is a Cornish word signifying hart or deer. Dugdale and most other authorities, believe that the family is denominated from Carew Castle in Pembrokeshire." 1

Early Origins of the Carret family

The surname Carret was first found in Cornwall where the family first established themselves after the Conquest. The family are descended from "Gerald, son of Walter de Windsor, who lived in the reign of Henry I, which Walter was son of Otho, in the time of William the Conqueror." 2

"In the [parish of Antony in East, Cornwall] have resided for several centuries, many branches of the well known and justly respected family of Carew. Richard Carew, Esq. the celebrated historian of Cornwall, informs us in his Survey of the county, that his ancestors were originally from the continent, and that they came into this kingdom with William the Conqueror. Of the genealogy, progress, and connexion of his family with others, in passing down the stream of time, a detailed account may be found in his work, from page 102 to 106. " 3

Carew Castle is located in Pembrokeshire, Wales that still stands today and has been held by the Carew family since it was built by Gerald de Winsor who took the name "de Carew" about 1100. " About the year 1300, by the marriage of Sir John de Carru with the coheiress of Mohun, this ancient family first became connected with the county of Devon." 2

One branch of the family was found at Beddington in Surrey from ancient times. "The church [of Beddington], beautifully situated in Beddington Park, close to the ancient mansion, is a handsome edifice with a fine tower, chiefly in the later English style; it was built in the reign of Richard II., and contains some monuments to the memory of the Carew family." 4

"Harrowbear, or Harroburrow, [in the parish of Calstock, Cornwall] formerly a seat of the Carews of Antony, is now a farm house, and is the property of Mr. John Worth." 3

Early History of the Carret family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carret research. Another 178 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1050, 1280, 1323, 1324, 1362, 1363, 1380, 1513, 1514, 1545, 1551, 1555, 1568, 1575, 1580, 1590, 1595, 1609, 1620, 1622, 1626, 1629, 1635, 1639, 1643, 1644, 1660, 1672, 1692, 1693, 1745, 1759 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Carret History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carret Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Carew, Carrott, Carrow, Carrowe and others.

Early Notables of the Carret family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Hugo Carew, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1380; Lord George Carew, 1st Earl of Totnes (1555-1629), who served under Queen Elizabeth I during the Tudor conquest of Ireland and was appointed President of Munster; Richard Carew (1555-1620) was a Cornish translator and antiquary; Thomas Carew (1595-1639), one of the best of the Cavalier poets, courtier of King Charles I; Sir George Carew, captain of the Mary Rose, was killed in her sinking in 1545 against a French attack; Sir Richard Carew, 1st Baronet (ca. 1580-1643), of Antony in Cornwall, an English writer and...
Another 124 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Carret Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carret Ranking

In France, the name Carret is the 5,245^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Carret family to Ireland

Some of the Carret family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 209 words (15 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carret migration to the United States +

Early records show that people bearing the name Carret arrived in North America quite early:

Carret Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mrs. Magelaine Carrat, (nee Clemenceau), (b. 1751), aged 34, French settler traveling aboard the ship "Le Saint-Remi" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 10th September 1785 6
Miss Marie Carret, (b. 1778), aged 7, French settler traveling aboard the ship "Le Saint-Remi" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 10th September 1785 6
Mr. Jean Carret, (b. 1771), aged 14, French settler traveling aboard the ship "Le Saint-Remi" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 10th September 1785 6
Mr. Pierre Carret, (b. 1761), aged 24, French laborer traveling aboard the ship "Le Saint-Remi" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 10th September 1785 6
Mr. Ignace Carret, (b. 1749), aged 36, French laborer traveling aboard the ship "Le Saint-Remi" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 10th September 1785 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Carret 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: J'espere Bien
Motto Translation: I hope well.

Citations +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
7 Ships Acadian Expedition of 1785 retrieved 4th October 2021 from http://www.acadian-cajun.com/7ships.htm