Map of England showing where the Chidiac arms are recorded
The Chidiac arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1620.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name in the records.
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 Chidiac 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 Dorset.
Origin & History of the Chidiac Family in England
The Chidiac family name carries a rich history that traces its roots back to the mountainous regions of the Levant, specifically within the Maronite communities of Lebanon. While the name is deeply connected to Middle Eastern heritage, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the coastal county of Dorset, England, as early as 1620. This suggests that early ancestors were likely involved in maritime trade or diplomatic missions that connected the Mediterranean world to the British Isles during the seventeenth century. By settling in a region known for its seafaring traditions, these early family members integrated into local life while maintaining the distinct cultural identity associated with their name. This unique presence in Dorset highlights a long history of global mobility and adaptation that defines the family legacy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Shediaq
Derived from the Syriac word for a deacon or church servant.
This name
ChidiacAn occupational surname historically denoting a deacon or an assistant within the church.
also spelled
Chidioke
Chidiok
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Dorset History Centre, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Hourani, Albert, Lebanon: A History of the Maronite Community, 1957
National Archives, State Papers Domestic, 1620
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martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
