A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chéri family of France.
Reg. 3123 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à trois étoiles de sa.; au chef du même.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Chéri Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Chéri arms are recorded
The Chéri arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Chéri 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 France.
Origin & History of the Chéri Family in France
The family name Chéri finds its roots in the French language as a term of endearment, likely originating as a nickname for a beloved person or a cherished child. By the year 1663, historical records confirm that members of the Chéri family were well-established in the region of Bretagne. During this period, families in this coastal area were often deeply connected to the local parish system, where births and marriages were meticulously documented by church officials. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the province, likely working in trades common to the Breton landscape. Over time, the name transitioned from a personal descriptor into a formal surname passed down through generations, marking the family as a distinct lineage within the historical records of western France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Carus
Latin term meaning dear, beloved, or precious.
This name
ChériDerived from the French adjective meaning beloved or darling.
also spelled
Chery
Shery
Sherry
Related arms
Cheryvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
