A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chan family of Switzerland.
Reg. 8195 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à l'aigle ép. de sa. C.: l'aigle. L. de gu. et de sa.”
SwitzerlandSoleure, c. 1745
Where the Chan Arms Were Recorded
Soleure
Map of Switzerland showing where the Chan arms are recorded
The Chan arms were recorded in Soleure, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Chan Family in Switzerland
The family name Chan has deep roots that trace back to the mid-eighteenth century in the Swiss city of Soleure. By 1745, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents within this region. During this period, Soleure served as a significant political and cultural hub, and families living there were often involved in the local trade or administrative systems that defined Swiss town life. While the name itself has distinct linguistic origins in other parts of the world, its presence in Soleure suggests a history of integration into the local community. These early ancestors likely navigated the challenges of life in a fortified city, contributing to the social fabric of the area long before the modern era. Their documented presence in the mid-1700s provides a clear starting point for understanding how the family became part of the long-standing history of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Johannes
Hebrew for God is gracious
This name
ChanA Swiss-German diminutive form of John, meaning God is gracious.
also spelled
Tshan
Chan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Solothurn, Taufrodel (Baptismal Registers) of the City of Solothurn, 1745
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Solothurn, Bürgerrodel (Citizenship Registers) of the City of Solothurn, 18th Century
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
