A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chapman family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 8018 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“d'arg. sur gu.; à un croiss. de l'un en l'autre. C.: un bras arm., tenant une pique brisée, en fasce, environnée d'une couronne de laurier, le tout au nat. D.: CRESCIT SUB PONDERE VIRTUS.”
Britainc. 1720
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Map of Britain showing where the Chapman arms are recorded
The Chapman arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1720.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
George I of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George I of Great Britain
1714–1727
Reigning in Britain when the Chapman arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Chapman Family in Britain
The surname Chapman is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a merchant or a traveling trader. The word comes from the Old English term ceapman, which translates simply to a man who buys and sells. During the Middle Ages, these individuals were essential to the economy because they moved goods between rural villages and growing market towns. By the time the family was firmly established in Kent in 1720, the name had long since transitioned from a job title to a hereditary surname passed down through generations. Families living in Kent during this period were often part of the region's robust agricultural and trading networks, which relied heavily on the historical role of the merchant. This transition reflects a broader shift in British society where surnames became necessary to track land ownership, tax obligations, and parish records.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per chev. ar. and gu. in chief three leopards' faces of the second and in base a crescent or”
Englandc. 1573
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Map of England showing where the Chapman arms are recorded
The Chapman arms were recorded in England, c. 1573.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Britain when the Chapman 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 Chapman Family in England
The surname Chapman is an occupational name that originated in medieval England, derived from the Old English word *ceapman*, which means a merchant or a trader. During the Middle Ages, these individuals were essential figures who traveled between towns and villages to sell goods at markets and fairs. By the time the family was recorded in York in 1573, the name had become well-established across the country as a reflection of the vital role these traders played in the local economy. Because trade was the primary way people survived and connected with one another, the name became common among families who operated shops or managed the transport of goods. Over time, the name transitioned from a description of a person’s job into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Vert a saltire engr. betw. four boars' heads, erased ar”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Chapman arms are recorded
The Chapman arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Britain when the Chapman arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Chapman Family in Scotland
The surname Chapman originated as an occupational name, derived from the Old English word "ceapman," which referred to a merchant, trader, or peddler. While the name has deep roots across Britain, its presence in Scotland became particularly notable by the mid-eighteenth century. By 1748, records confirm that members of the Chapman family were established in Edinburgh, a city that served as a bustling hub for commerce and trade during the Scottish Enlightenment. As the city grew into a center for professional life and industry, these early Chapmans likely integrated into the urban economy, moving away from the itinerant lifestyle of traveling merchants to take up roles in the city's expanding markets and legal circles. This transition reflects the broader history of the name, as families shifted from being nomadic traders to becoming permanent residents in Scotland's most influential capital.
Chapman Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
ceap
Old English term for trade, market, or barter.
This name
ChapmanAn occupational surname for a merchant, trader, or peddler.
also spelled
Chappman
Chapmann
Chapmanne
Chepman
Chapmon
Related arms
Nevensonrecorded with Chapman, same area
Starkeyrecorded with Chapman, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, English Surnames: Their Sources and Significations, 1873
The National Archives, Probate records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1720
Kent History and Library Centre, Parish registers of Kent, 1720
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
