A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chames family of England.
Reg. 1731 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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 chief indented erm”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Chames Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Chames arms are recorded
The Chames 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 Chames 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 Chames Family in England
The surname Chames is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Chames were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or topographical descriptions common in Yorkshire, reflecting the way surnames were frequently adapted as families moved between parishes. By settling in York, early members of the family became part of a community that navigated the significant political and social shifts of the Stuart era. Their presence in the city records suggests they were established residents who contributed to the local life of one of England’s most important historical hubs.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Jacobus
Latin form of the Hebrew name Yaakov meaning supplanter or follower.
This name
ChamesAn English variant of James, derived from the Latin Jacobus, signifying one who follows or supplants.
also spelled
Chams
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archives: Parish Registers of St. Martin-le-Grand, Coney Street
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York, 1272–1759
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
