Sir George Carteret (1615 - 1680) came of old French stock on the Channel island of Jersey, which he held for King Charles I as the last Stuart stronghold that surrendered to Cromwell. He was a distinguished naval officer, though rather careless in business and without much education.

He died just too soon to receive the patent of nobility the king had intended for him. Carteret and Lord Berkeley were for a while Lords Proprietors of New Jersey, which he named for his home island.