A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chesildon family of England.
Reg. 8225 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, on a bend gu. three martlets ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Chesildon Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Chesildon arms are recorded
The Chesildon 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 Chesildon 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 Chesildon Family in England
The name Chesildon is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with clear evidence of the family residing in the city of York by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, placing the family at the center of a bustling urban environment that was recovering from the political shifts of the Elizabethan era. The name itself likely originated as a locative surname, which was a common practice in medieval England where families were identified by the specific village or geographic feature where they lived. While the exact origins of the name remain tied to the linguistic evolution of the region, the presence of the Chesildon family in York suggests they were part of the growing class of citizens who contributed to the city’s civic and economic life. By settling in such a prominent location, these early family members helped establish a lasting legacy that persisted through the social changes of the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ceosel-dun
A gravelly or pebbly hill.
This name
ChesildonDerived from Old English elements describing a settlement located on a hill composed of gravel or small stones.
also spelled
Cheseldon
Related arms
Cheseldonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York, 1822
Collins, Francis, Register of the Freemen of the City of York from the City Records, 1897
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
