Map of France showing where the Chafe arms are recorded
The Chafe arms were recorded in Grenoble, c. 1663.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Chafe arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Chafe Family in France
The family name Chafe traces its roots to the alpine region of southeastern France, with documented evidence placing family members in the city of Grenoble by 1663. During the seventeenth century, Grenoble served as a vital hub for trade and administration within the Dauphiné province. Families living in this area often found their identities tied to the rugged landscape of the French Alps and the bustling urban life of the city. As residents of a major regional center, the early Chafe family likely participated in the local economy, which relied heavily on textile production and the movement of goods through mountain passes. While the name itself may have evolved from local dialects or occupational descriptions common to the region, its presence in Grenoble highlights a history deeply connected to the social and economic development of the French kingdom during the reign of Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
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)
“Gu. a fesse wavy betw. six billets ar”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Chafe arms are recorded
The Chafe 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 France when the Chafe 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 Chafe Family in England
The surname Chafe has deep roots in the English landscape, with early records confirming that families bearing this name were established in the county of Norfolk by the year 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals living in rural communities where local records, such as parish registers, began to document the movement and growth of families. The name itself is thought to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely referring to a person’s physical appearance or a specific trait that neighbors found notable. As the family settled into the Norfolk region, they became part of the local social fabric, participating in the agricultural and trade activities that defined life in seventeenth-century England. Over time, the name spread from these early regional centers, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and family development that shaped the history of the English population.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chauffer
To heat or to warm.
This name
ChafeAn occupational name for a person who tended a furnace or fireplace.
also spelled
Chappe
Chapp
Shap
Chaps
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Isère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Grenoble, 1663
Bouchard, Gérard, Quelques arpents d'Amérique: Population et économie du peuplement français au Canada, 1996
Raulin, Henri, La vie rurale dans les Alpes françaises, 1952
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
