A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chad family of England.
Reg. 7803 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per pale gu. and ar. a cross potent quadrated, in the 1st and 4th quarters, a rose; in the 2nd and 3rd, a cross pattée all counterchanged”
NorfolkThursford · Norfolk, c. 1620
Where the Chad Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Chad arms are recorded
The Chad arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Chad 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Chad Family in England
The family name Chad is rooted in ancient English history, originating from the Old English given name Ceadda. This name gained prominence through Saint Chad of Mercia, a seventh-century bishop who was widely revered throughout the Anglo-Saxon period. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Norfolk. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Chad family were living in this region, where they likely engaged in local agriculture or trade. During this era, families often lived in the same rural parishes for generations, which helped the name persist and spread across the East Anglian landscape. This deep connection to Norfolk suggests that the family was well-integrated into the social and economic life of the English countryside long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ceadda
Old English name of uncertain etymology, possibly meaning battle or warrior.
This name
ChadDerived from an Old English personal name, historically associated with Saint Chad of Mercia.
also spelled
Chadde
Related arms
Bradberryrecorded with Chad, same area
Dyotrecorded with Chad, same area
Greenerecorded with Chad, same area
Heyworthrecorded with Chad, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Registers for the Diocese of Norwich, 1620
Bede the Venerable, Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, 731
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
