A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chevallier family of England.
Reg. 1784 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
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)
“Ar. on a cross gu. five escallops of the field”
SuffolkAspal · Suffolk, c. 1620
Where the Chevallier Arms Were Recorded
Suffolk
Map of England showing where the Chevallier arms are recorded
The Chevallier arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1620.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of 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 Chevallier 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 Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Chevallier Family in England
The surname Chevallier originates from the Old French word for a horseman or a knight, serving as a descriptive title for those who served in a mounted military capacity or managed stables. While the name is deeply rooted in French history, its presence in England became more prominent as families migrated across the channel for trade or religious reasons. By 1620, the Chevallier family had established a notable presence in the county of Suffolk, where they integrated into the local community as landowners and professionals. This migration reflects a broader pattern of movement during the seventeenth century, as families sought new opportunities in East Anglia. Over time, the name evolved from a professional designation into a stable hereditary surname that linked these English settlers to their continental heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caballus
Latin term referring to a horse or pack animal.
This name
ChevallierAn occupational surname for a horseman, knight, or someone who cared for horses.
also spelled
Chevalyer
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
Suffolk Archives, Ipswich Branch, Parish Registers of Suffolk, 1620
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
