A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chidiock family of England.
Reg. 7987 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
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)
“Gu. an inescutcheon betw. eight martlets in orle ar”
DorsetDorset, c. 1620
Where the Chidiock Arms Were Recorded
Dorset
Map of England showing where the Chidiock arms are recorded
The Chidiock 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 Chidiock 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 Chidiock Family in England
The surname Chidiock originates from a specific place name in the county of Dorset, England. The family took its name from the village of Chideock, which is situated along the scenic Jurassic Coast. During the medieval period, the family rose to prominence as significant landowners who held the local manor and played an active role in regional politics. By the time historical records confirm their presence in the area during the early 17th century, the family had already established deep roots in the local community. They were often involved in the management of rural estates and the daily affairs of the parish. This connection to the land defined their identity for generations, linking their family history directly to the geography and development of the Dorset countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cead
An Old English element meaning battle or strife.
This name
ChidiockDerived from a place name in Dorset, likely signifying a settlement associated with a warrior.
also spelled
Chidioke
Chidiok
Related arms
Emenfieldsame arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Mills, A.D., The Place-Names of Dorset, 1977
The National Archives, Chideock Manor Records, series reference C 143
Dorset History Centre, Dorset Quarter Sessions Records, series reference Q/SR
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martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
