Charles History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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