Cards History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Cards

What does the name Cards mean?

The name Cards is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name was taken on by someone who worked as a blacksmith or tin-worker. The surname is derived from the Old French word carde, which means a teasel-head or wool-comb, which both relate to the materials a blacksmith and tin-worker used or made. 1

Early Origins of the Cards family

The surname Cards was first found in Shropshire where Arnald Carde was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1221. A few years later, Laurence Carde was listed in Cornwall in 1297. 1

In Scotland, the name is derived from the "Gaelic ceard, a craftsman, an artist mechanic, and later a travelling tinker. In an ancient Irish manuscript cerdd is glossed by Latin aerarius, which means 'worker in brass.' Many of the fine old Highland plaid brooches of brass, specimens of which are shown in the Scottish National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh, are believed to be the work of men of this class." 2

Early History of the Cards family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cards research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1500 and 1681 are included under the topic Early Cards History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cards Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Cards include Card, Carde and others.

Early Notables of the Cards family

More information is included under the topic Early Cards Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cards family to Ireland

Some of the Cards family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cards family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: John Card who settled in Virginia in 1654 with his wife Mary; Robert Carde settled in Virginia in 1642.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)