A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chilcott family of England.
Reg. 9517 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. five mullets in saltire sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Chilcott Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Chilcott arms are recorded
The Chilcott 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 England when the Chilcott 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 Chilcott Family in England
The surname Chilcott is primarily of English origin and is believed to have developed as a locative name, meaning it was originally used to describe someone who lived near a specific cold cottage or a settlement in a chilly valley. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Chilcott family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern English hub. During this period, families often took their names from the landscape features surrounding their homes, which suggests that the earliest ancestors of the Chilcotts likely resided in a distinct, cool-weather environment before migrating toward larger urban centers. This transition from rural life to the bustling streets of York highlights the family's long-standing history within the region and their integration into the developing urban society of the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ceol
Old English word meaning ship or keel.
This name
ChilcottA topographical name for someone who lived near a ship landing or a keel-shaped valley.
also spelled
Chilcote
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
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mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
