A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chantry family of England.
Reg. 3684 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. guttée de larme a lion ramp. ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Chantry Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Chantry arms are recorded
The Chantry 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 Chantry 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 Chantry Family in England
The surname Chantry is linked to the medieval practice of establishing chantries, which were private chapels or endowments created to pay for prayers for the souls of the deceased. People who worked as chantry priests or those who lived near these religious foundations often adopted the name to identify their profession or location. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Chantry family were active residents there by 1620, likely participating in the vibrant trade and religious life of the city during that era. As the name moved through generations, it became a distinct marker of families who were deeply connected to the social and ecclesiastical structures of northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cantaria
A Latin term referring to a place for singing or chanting.
This name
ChantryAn occupational name for a person who endowed or sang in a chantry chapel.
also spelled
Chantrey
Chantrie
Chantre
Chantree
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
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
