A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chant family of France.
Reg. 9674 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Purple (Purpure)Means: Royal majesty
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à la bande d'arg., ch. en haut d'une étoile de pourpre et en bas d'un chat de gu., cour. du même; la bande acc. en chef à sen. d'une étoile d'or.”
BourgogneBourgogne, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Chant arms are recorded
The Chant arms were recorded in Bourgogne, c. 1663.
Bourgogne was one of the richest parts of France, built on wine, wool and the roads that carried both. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region filled with armed families earlier than most of the country.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Chant arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bourgogne.
Origin & History of the Chant Family in France
The family name Chant finds its early roots in the historic region of Bourgogne, France, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1663. The name is believed to be topographic or occupational in origin, likely derived from the Old French word "chant," which refers to a song or a singing place. In medieval times, such names were often given to individuals who lived near a specific landmark, such as a prominent hill or a valley where echoes were common, or they may have identified a person who served as a cantor or a singer in a local church. As the family moved through the French countryside during the seventeenth century, they became part of the local social fabric of Bourgogne, a region known for its deep traditions in agriculture and winemaking. Over time, the name evolved alongside the linguistic shifts of the French language, eventually spreading beyond its original home as family members sought new opportunities in trade and community leadership.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cantare
Latin verb meaning to sing or chant.
This name
ChantA topographic name for someone living near a place where singing occurred or a professional singer.
also spelled
Channut
Shanu
Chanute
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Côte-d'Or, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
