Map of England showing where the Chatman arms are recorded
The Chatman arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1620.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into the heraldic 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Chatman 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 Derby.
Origin & History of the Chatman Family in England
The surname Chatman is a variation of the occupational name Chapman, which originated in Middle English. During the medieval period, the term referred to a merchant, a trader, or a peddler who traveled between villages to sell goods. By the early 17th century, the name had become well-established in the English Midlands. Records confirm that members of the family were living in the town of Derby by 1620. At that time, Derby was a growing market center, making it a logical place for a family of traders to settle and build their livelihoods. Over time, the spelling shifted from the original trade-based term to the more distinct Chatman form as families moved across different regions and local dialects influenced how names were recorded in parish registers.
Chatman Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ceapman
Old English term for a merchant, trader, or peddler.
This name
ChatmanAn occupational surname for someone who worked as a merchant or market trader.
also spelled
Cadmon
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
Derbyshire Record Office, Derby All Saints Parish Registers, 1620
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
