A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chace family of England.
Reg. 6457 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. four crosses potence ar. two and two, on a canton or, a lion pass. az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Chace Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Chace arms are recorded
The Chace arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Chace arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Chace Family in England
The surname Chace is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive name for someone who lived near or worked in a hunting ground. In the medieval period, a chase was a private area of land used for hunting wild animals, and those who managed these grounds or resided nearby often took the name as their own. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Chace family were established in the historic city of York. During this era, families in York were often involved in the city’s thriving trade and craft guilds, which provided a stable foundation for their growth. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family name became more widespread across northern England, reflecting the movement of people seeking new opportunities in both urban centers and rural estates.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
chacier
Old French term meaning to hunt or to chase.
This name
ChaceAn occupational name for a huntsman or someone who lived near a hunting ground.
also spelled
Chase
Related arms
Chasevariant spelling
Stanhoperecorded with Chace, same area
Stubbsrecorded with Chace, same area
Suardyrecorded with Chace, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
