A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Champer family of England.
Reg. 4976 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 ar. and gu. a bend counterchanged”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Champer Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Champer arms are recorded
The Champer 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 Champer 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 Champer Family in England
The surname Champer 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 this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious transition, and families like the Champers often established themselves through skilled labor or local commerce. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots, possibly serving as a descriptive label for individuals who lived near specific landmarks or engaged in particular trades common to the Yorkshire region. As the family settled into the social fabric of the seventeenth century, they became part of the steady expansion of urban life in Northern England. Their presence in city records suggests that they were active participants in the community during a time of significant social and political change in Britain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Campus
A Latin term referring to an open field or level ground.
This name
ChamperA topographic name for someone who lived near or worked on a field.
also spelled
Champernon
Champernowne
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory, and Gazetteer, of the County of York, 1822
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Drake, Francis, Eboracum: or the History and Antiquities of the City of York, 1736
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paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
