Charles History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  France 
  Ireland 


The Anglo-Saxon name Charles comes from Carl, derived from the personal name which means man. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the German (Saxon) word "carl" meaning "strong, stout, courageous, and valiant." 1 "It is rarely found as a forename before the reign of Charles I.' 2

Early Origins of the Charles family

The surname Charles was first found in Suffolk where Edward Charles was recorded the 1273. The same Hundredorum Rolls also included Charles (without surname), Kent; William Charle, Norfolk; Alan Charle, Cambridgeshire; Ida Carle, Cambridgeshire; Ralph Carles, Cambridgeshire; and William Carolus, Norfolk. 3

Early History of the Charles family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Charles research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1208, 1253, 1482, 1550, 1569, 1613, 1688 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Charles History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Charles Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Charles has appeared include Charles, Carles, St. Charles and others.

Early Notables of the Charles family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Charles World Ranking

In the United States, the name Charles is the 537th most popular surname with an estimated 54,714 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Charles is ranked the 758th most popular surname with an estimated 7,029 people with that name. 5 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Charles is the 547th popular surname. 6 France ranks Charles as 106th with 27,035 people. 7 Australia ranks Charles as 633rd with 6,165 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Charles as 589th with 11,058 people. 9 South Africa ranks Charles as 1,000th with 6,846 people. 10

Migration of the Charles family to Ireland

Some of the Charles family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Charles migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Charles arrived in North America very early:

Charles Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Charles Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Charles Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Charles Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
Charles Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

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

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

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. 19
Charles Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Charles (post 1700) +


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: Virtus auget honores
Motto Translation: Virtue increases honour.
Fastest Delivery Possible

Digital Products on Checkout, all other products filled in 1 business day

Money Back Guarantee

Yes, all products 100% Guraranteed

BBB A+ Rating

The Best Rating possible

Secure Online Payment

Entire site uses SSL / Secure Certificate