A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chastillon family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5245 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. au chef de gu. (Chastillon): aux 2 et 3 de gu. à huit fers de lance émoussés (cotterels) d'arg., 3, 2 et 3 (Cotterel). C.: deux pattes d'aigle d'or.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Chastillon Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Chastillon arms are recorded
The Chastillon arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 Chastillon 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 Flandre.
Origin & History of the Chastillon Family in France
The family name Chastillon is deeply rooted in the linguistic and social landscape of northern France. The name itself is a topographical surname, derived from the Old French word *chastel*, which refers to a castle or a fortified settlement. Families bearing this name likely originated from individuals who lived near or worked within the walls of a local stronghold. By the mid-seventeenth century, the name was well-established in the region of Flandre, a territory characterized by its complex history of shifting borders between the French crown and the Spanish Netherlands. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Chastillon family were active participants in the social and economic life of this borderland. During this era, the family would have navigated the challenges of regional governance and agricultural development, contributing to the distinct cultural identity of the Flemish-French frontier.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
vairProtection, and the winter fur
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Gu. three pallets vair on a chief or a label az”
PembrokePembroke College · Pembroke, c. 1347
Where the Chastillon Arms Were Recorded
Pembroke
Map of Wales showing where the Chastillon arms are recorded
The Chastillon arms were recorded in Pembroke, c. 1347.
Pembrokeshire was settled from England early enough to be called Little England beyond Wales. Its landed families were Norman in origin and held their ground for centuries, which is what put them in the records.
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 Wales in this period.
Edward III of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward III of England
1327–1377
Reigning in France when the Chastillon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Pembroke.
Origin & History of the Chastillon Family in Wales
The history of the Chastillon name in Wales is deeply tied to the strategic landscape of Pembrokeshire during the fourteenth century. By 1347, records confirm that members of this family were established in the region, which served as a vital stronghold for the English Crown. At this time, Pembrokeshire was a unique cultural crossroads where Norman-French influence met the native Welsh population. The name itself reflects these origins, likely brought to the area by settlers or administrators who moved into the region to manage land and trade. Living in a border territory, the early Chastillons were part of a small group of families that helped bridge the divide between the local Welsh communities and the administrative centers of the Anglo-Norman lords. Their presence in the historical record during this period suggests they were integrated into the local economy and the complex social hierarchy of medieval Wales.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Castellum
Latin term for a castle, fortress, or fortified village.
This name
ChastillonRefers to someone who lived near or worked at a castle or fortified settlement.
also spelled
Shastiyon
Shastillon
Chastillion
Chastelyon
Related arms
Châtillon de Chemillavariant spelling
Châtillon de Dampierrevariant spelling
Châtillon de la Fèrevariant spelling
Châtillon de Laringevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
