A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Challons family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6419 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
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. two bars betw. eight martlets three, two, and three, ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Challons Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Challons arms are recorded
The Challons 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 Challons 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 Challons Family in England
The surname Challons is deeply rooted in the history of Northern England, with significant records placing the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Challons were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled trades that kept the city running. The name itself likely evolved from older regional dialects, reflecting the way people identified themselves by their occupation or their place of origin within the landscape of Yorkshire. As the family established their presence in York, they became part of the social fabric of a city that was transitioning through a time of great political and religious change. By maintaining a steady presence in such a prominent urban center, the early Challons family helped preserve their name through generations of local history, leaving a trail of records that document their daily lives and their contributions to the community.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. a bend or, on a chief az. a lion ramp. or”
FranceBurgundy, c. 1750
Where the Challons Arms Were Recorded
Burgundy
Map of France showing where the Challons arms are recorded
The Challons arms were recorded in Burgundy, c. 1750.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in England when the Challons 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 Challons Family in France
The name Challons traces its roots to the historic region of Burgundy, where the family established a presence by the mid-eighteenth century. During this era, the name was closely tied to the social and economic structures of the French countryside, likely reflecting the local geography or the specific trades practiced by early ancestors. Families in Burgundy at this time were often deeply connected to the land, working within a complex system of agriculture and regional commerce that defined life before the French Revolution. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of the province, navigating the shifts in administration and daily life that characterized the final decades of the Ancien Régime. By 1750, the Challons name was already embedded in the community, serving as a marker of the family’s long-standing identity within the heart of eastern France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chalon
Derived from the Old French word for a shallow boat or barge.
This name
ChallonsAn occupational surname for a boatman or someone who worked on river transport.
also spelled
Chalon
Related arms
Chalonvariant spelling
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
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York Registers
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
