A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Champney family of England.
Reg. 0989 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
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)
“Ar. two fusils in pale (another, in fesse) gu”
DevonshireDevonshire, c. 1620
Where the Champney Arms Were Recorded
Devonshire
Map of England showing where the Champney arms are recorded
The Champney arms were recorded in Devonshire, c. 1620.
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 Champney 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 Devonshire.
Origin & History of the Champney Family in England
The surname Champney is derived from the Old French term *champenois*, which was used to describe a person who originated from the Champagne region of France. It is likely that the name was brought to England following the Norman Conquest, where it eventually evolved into the spelling used today. By the early 17th century, the family had established a firm presence in the county of Devonshire. This region was a hub of maritime activity and agricultural development during the 1620s. Families in this area often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where they contributed to the local economy through farming or trade. The transition from a regional descriptor to a permanent family name reflects the way many English surnames were formed during the Middle Ages as people moved across borders and settled into new communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Champagne
A region in France characterized by open, flat, or level country.
This name
ChampneyA topographic name for someone who lived on or near a flat, open plain.
also spelled
Champneis
Champnes
Related arms
Champneis, or Champneyvariant spelling
Champnesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Devon Archives, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
