Charles

Charles m

English and French: originally from a Germanic word meaning ‘free man’, cognate with Old English ceorl man. (The modern English words churl and churlish are derived from this, and their unpleasant overtones are a much later accretion.) The name originally owed its popularity in Europe to the Frankish leader Charlemagne (?742–814), who in 800 established himself as Holy Roman Emperor. His name (Latin Carolus Magnus) means ‘Charles the Great’. Charles or KARL (SEE Karl) (the German form) was a common name among Frankish leaders, including Charlemagne's grandfather Charles Martel (688–741). The name was also borne by a succession of Holy Roman Emperors and ten kings of France. It was hardly used at all among the Normans, and was introduced to Britain by Mary Queen of Scots (1542–87), who had been brought up in France. She chose the names Charles James for her son (1566–1625), who later became King James VI of Scotland and, from 1603, James I of England. His son and grandson both reigned as King Charles, and the name thus became established in the 17th century both as a name in the Stuart royal house and as a favoured name among English and Scottish supporters of the monarchy. In the 19th century the popularity of the name was further increased by romanticization of the story of ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’, Stuart pretender to the throne in the preceding century and leader of the 1745 rebellion. This popularity continued in the 20th century with the baptism in 1948 of the heir to the British throne as Prince Charles.

In Ireland this name has been used as an Anglicized form of CEARBHALL (SEE Cearbhall). and sometimes of CORMAC (SEE Cormac); in Scotland it has been used for TEÀRLACH (SEE Teàrlach).

Cognates: Irish Gaelic: Séarlas. Welsh: Siarl. Italian: Carlo. Spanish, Portuguese: Carlos. German: Karl, CARL (SEE Carl). Dutch: Karel. Scandinavian: Karl. Polish: Karol. Czech: Karel. Hungarian: Károly. Finnish: Kaarle.

Pet form: English: Charlie.