A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chetwynd family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1230 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au chev. d'or, acc. de trois étoiles du même. C.: une tête et col de bouc d'arg., accornée d'or. S.: deux licornes d'arg., coll. chacune d'une guirlande de roses de gu. et enchaînées d'une chaîne de roses pareilles. D.: PROBITAS VERUS HONOS.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Chetwynd Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Chetwynd arms are recorded
The Chetwynd arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Chetwynd 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 Chetwynd Family in France
The roots of the Chetwynd family name in France are closely tied to the historical landscape of the Bretagne region during the early eighteenth century. While the name is often associated with English origins, records confirm that family members were firmly established in Bretagne by 1725. During this period, the family integrated into the local social and economic fabric of northwestern France. They lived through a time of significant transition as the region navigated the complexities of provincial administration and shifting trade networks. Their presence in Bretagne suggests a history of migration or long-standing professional connections that linked the family to the coastal culture and maritime traditions of the area. By settling in this part of France, the family became part of the unique regional identity that defined the province long before the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. a chev. betw. three mullets or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Chetwynd Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Chetwynd arms are recorded
The Chetwynd 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 France when the Chetwynd 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 Chetwynd Family in England
The family name Chetwynd originates from a place name in Staffordshire, England, derived from the Old English words for a cottage and a winding path. While the name is deeply rooted in the West Midlands, historical records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in the city of York by 1620. During this period, the family was transitioning from their ancestral lands into the broader social and economic life of northern England. As they moved into urban centers like York, the family often integrated into local trade and administrative roles. This migration reflects the broader movement of English families during the seventeenth century as they sought new opportunities beyond their traditional rural estates. By settling in York, the Chetwynd family became part of the vibrant history of one of England’s most significant northern hubs, marking a new chapter in their long-standing history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ceat-wind
Old English terms for a winding path or a twisting ascent.
This name
ChetwyndRefers to a dwelling located near a winding path or a twisting river bend.
also spelled
Chetwind
Chetwyn
Related arms
Buisseret-Steenbecque de Blarenghiensimilar arms
Galluppisimilar arms
Guillesimilar arms
Chetwynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B, Fonds de la Cour de Parlement de Bretagne
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Poterie, Henri, Histoire de Bretagne, 1922
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
