A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chene family of England.
Reg. 6824 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. three crosses crosslet fitchée ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Chene Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Chene arms are recorded
The Chene 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 Chene 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 Chene Family in England
The surname Chene is rooted in the Old French word for oak, which suggests that the family’s earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent oak tree or a forest. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Chene family were established in the historic city of York, England. During this period, York was a bustling hub of trade and religious activity, placing the family at the center of a rapidly changing society. As the name moved through different regions, its spelling often shifted to adapt to local dialects and record-keeping habits. These early family members were part of a long tradition of people who defined their identity through their connection to the natural landscape and their local community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chesne
Old French term referring to an oak tree.
This name
CheneA topographic name for someone who lived near an oak tree or in an oak forest.
also spelled
Cheney
Chenie
Related arms
Chenievariant spelling
Chenyvariant spelling
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, 1991
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
