A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chatfield family of England.
Reg. 7043 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Purple (Purpure)Means: Royal majesty
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a griffin segreant sa. on a chief purp. three escallops of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Chatfield Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Chatfield arms are recorded
The Chatfield 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 Chatfield 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 Chatfield Family in England
The name Chatfield is of English origin and is classified as a locational surname, which means it was originally taken from a specific place name. The name is derived from Old English words that describe a field near a place called a "ceat," which likely referred to a wooded area or a clearing. By the early 17th century, members of the Chatfield family were well-established in northern England, with historical records confirming their presence in York by 1620. During this period, families often moved to growing urban centers like York to pursue trade, crafts, or professional roles. As the family grew and spread across different regions, they helped shape the local history of the areas where they settled, leaving behind a legacy that is still tied to the geography of their ancestral roots.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ceatt and feld
Old English for a wild cat and an open area of land.
This name
ChatfieldRefers to a person who lived near an open field frequented by wild cats.
also spelled
Chatfeild
Chatfyeld
Chatfild
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
