A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chetwood family of England.
Reg. 3008 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, ar. and gu. a cross formée counterchanged”
BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire, c. 1620
Where the Chetwood Arms Were Recorded
Buckinghamshire
Map of England showing where the Chetwood arms are recorded
The Chetwood arms were recorded in Buckinghamshire, c. 1620.
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 Chetwood 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 Buckinghamshire.
Origin & History of the Chetwood Family in England
The family name Chetwood is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, specifically drawing its origins from the Old English words for a woodland clearing. Historically, the name is a locative surname, meaning it was adopted by people who lived near or within the ancient woods of Buckinghamshire. By the early 17th century, the family had firmly established itself in this region, with records confirming their presence in the area by 1620. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the local community, often serving as landowners who managed the surrounding forests and fields. Their history reflects the broader movement of rural families who took their identity directly from the geography of their ancestral homes, maintaining a strong connection to the Buckinghamshire countryside for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ceat and Wudu
Old English words for a wood or forest clearing.
This name
ChetwoodRefers to someone who lived near a clearing within a woodland area.
also spelled
Chetwode
Related arms
Chetwodevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Lipscomb, George, The History and Antiquities of the County of Buckingham, 1847
The National Archives, Kew, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
