Map of England showing where the Chaires arms are recorded
The Chaires 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 Chaires 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 Chaires Family in England
The history of the Chaires family is deeply rooted in the historic city of York, England, where records confirm their presence as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and the family name likely emerged from the local linguistic traditions of Northern England. Surnames often developed from a person's occupation, a physical trait, or the specific place where they lived. In the case of the Chaires name, it may have been linked to the medieval practice of identifying individuals by their proximity to local landmarks or their roles within the parish community. As the family established themselves in the region, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, participating in the daily life and economic growth of the city during the seventeenth century. Over time, members of the family moved beyond these initial roots, carrying their name into new regions and contributing to the diverse history of the English people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Charus
Latin term meaning dear, beloved, or precious.
This name
ChairesDerived from a nickname for a beloved or cherished individual.
also spelled
Chauresse
Chauris
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
York Minster Library, Parish Registers of York, 1620
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orlePreservation, and protection in battle
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
