Map of England showing where the Chater arms are recorded
The Chater arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Chater 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 York.
Origin & History of the Chater Family in England
The surname Chater is deeply rooted in the history of Northern England, with strong evidence placing the family in the city of York by the early seventeenth century. Etymologists often link the name to the Old French word "chastel," which suggests that early ancestors may have lived near or worked within a castle or fortified structure. As the family established itself in York during the 1620s, they became part of a vibrant urban community that served as a major center for trade and religious life. During this period, the city was recovering from the economic shifts of the Elizabethan era, and families like the Chaters were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled trades that defined the city’s economy. By settling in such a prominent historical hub, the family became woven into the fabric of Yorkshire life, contributing to the growth and character of the region for generations to come.
Chater Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Chatre
Old French term for a castle or fortified dwelling.
This name
ChaterAn occupational name for someone who lived near or worked at a castle.
also spelled
Chator
Chatre
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains’ Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
