The Carter family is one of forty-nine selected by the American Historical Genealogical Society for whom family histories were published by that organization.

The name of Carter is derived from the occupation of "Carter." The word for cart is from the Norman-French "charette."

English records from as far back as 1273 give variant forms of the name as follows: Joeius Caretarius, Co. Oxford - 1273; Juliana Le Cartere, Co. Cambridge - 1273; Nicholas Le Carter, Co. Oxford, 1273; John Le Carters, Co. Hunts, 1273; Robert La Caretter, Co. Hunts, 1273; Ricardus Carter, 1379; Robert Carter married Margaret Byllynge, St. Dionis Backchurch, 1570; Richard Carter married Cecily Ellmer, St. James clerkenwell, 1574.

The Carter families settled mainly to the north of London. They seemed to be widely spread in the counties of Bedford, Hertford, Middlesex, Buckingham and Hertfordshire, as well as in the city of London.

Several families bearing the surname of Carter emigrated to America.

Robert "King Carter" Carter (1663 - 1732) of Corotoman, son of Col. John and Sarah Carter, married Judith Armistead in 1688. Their children were John Carter, Elizabeth Carter, Judith Carter and Anne Carter. His second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth Landon Willis. Their children were: Robert Carter, Sarah Carter, Col. Charles Carter, Ludlow Carter, Landon Carter, Mary Carter and Lucy Carter.