A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chausse family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8461 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un chêne de sin., terrassé du même, accosté de deux étoiles d'azur ; au chef de gu., ch. de trois étoiles d'or. - Ou: De gu. au chêne à trois branches d'or, terrassé de sin.; au chef d'azur, soutenu d'une divise d'arg. et ch. de trois étoiles d'or.”
LyonnaisLyonnais, c. 1663
Where the Chausse Arms Were Recorded
Lyonnais
Map of France showing where the Chausse arms are recorded
The Chausse arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 Chausse 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Chausse Family in France
The surname Chausse finds its historical roots in the central and eastern regions of France, with a significant presence documented in the Lyonnais province by 1663. The name is derived from the Old French word "chausse," which referred to a type of fitted leg covering or hose worn during the Middle Ages. It is likely that the name originated as a descriptive occupational nickname for a maker or seller of these garments, or perhaps as a reference to someone known for wearing distinctive footwear. As families in the 17th century began to settle more permanently in rural parishes, the name became firmly established among the local population. By the time records appear in the Lyonnais region, the family was already integrated into the social fabric of the area, participating in the agricultural and artisanal life that defined the French countryside during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à quatre fasces ondées d'azur ; au chef de gu., ch. d'un lambel d'arg.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
Where the Chausse Arms Were Recorded
Bern
Map of Switzerland showing where the Chausse arms are recorded
The Chausse arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Chausse Family in Switzerland
The family name Chausse has deep roots in the Swiss region, with historical records confirming their presence in the city of Bern by 1745. The name likely originated from the Old French word *chausse*, which referred to a type of footwear or leggings, suggesting that the family’s ancestors may have been skilled shoemakers or tailors during the Middle Ages. As the family established themselves in Bern, they integrated into the local social and economic fabric of the city. During the eighteenth century, Bern was a powerful center of trade and politics, and families like the Chausses often participated in the craft guilds that defined urban life. By settling in this region, the family became part of the long tradition of Swiss craftsmanship and civic involvement that characterized the era. Their presence in the city archives during this period highlights their role as established residents who contributed to the growth and stability of the Swiss cantons.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
calceus
Latin term for a shoe or covering for the foot.
This name
ChausseAn occupational name for a shoemaker or a nickname for someone who wore distinctive footwear.
also spelled
Chaus
Shos
Shosse
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives départementales du Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
