Map of England showing where the Chance arms are recorded
The Chance arms were recorded in Birmingham, 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 Chance 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 Chance Family in England
The surname Chance is believed to have originated as a nickname, likely describing a person who was considered lucky or perhaps someone who frequently relied on fate. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Chance family were firmly established in Birmingham, England. During this period, Birmingham was rapidly transforming from a small market town into a bustling center for metalworking and manufacturing. The family likely played a role in this industrial growth, as many residents of the area were involved in the skilled trades that defined the region. As the city expanded throughout the seventeenth century, the Chance family became deeply integrated into the local community, contributing to the development of the area’s unique economic identity. Their presence in Birmingham during this formative era highlights how families often settled in growing towns to take advantage of new opportunities in trade and craftsmanship.
Chance Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
cadentia
Latin term meaning a falling or happening by chance.
This name
ChanceA nickname for a lucky person or someone who frequently encountered unexpected events.
also spelled
Chanse
Chaunce
Related arms
Capperrecorded with Chance, same area
Collmore, or Collamorerecorded with Chance, same area
Daviesrecorded with Chance, same area
Lucyrecorded with Chance, same area
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
Gill, Conrad, History of Birmingham: Volume I, Manor and Borough to 1865, 1952
Birmingham Archives, Parish Registers of St. Martin in the Bull Ring, 1554–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
