Map of England showing where the Chapple arms are recorded
The Chapple arms were recorded in London, 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 Chapple 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 Chapple Family in England
The surname Chapple is a topographical name that originated in England, derived from the Middle English word "chapel." It was historically used to identify individuals who lived near a chapel or worked as caretakers for a small place of worship. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in London, as evidenced by records from 1620. During this period, London was a rapidly expanding center of trade and migration, and families like the Chapples were often involved in the city’s growing merchant and artisan classes. As the name spread throughout the country, it evolved into various spellings, but it remained rooted in the connection between a family and their local community landmark. This history reflects the common practice of the time where surnames were chosen based on a person's immediate surroundings or their role within the parish.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
capella
Latin term for a small cloak or a small sanctuary.
This name
ChappleA topographic name for someone who lived near a small chapel or church.
also spelled
Chapele
Chappill
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Kew, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
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anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
