A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chion family of Netherlands.
Reg. 4079 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la fasce d'azur, supp. trois oiseaux au nat. et acc. en p. de deux serpents ondoyants en fasces, l'un sur l'autre, au nat.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Chion Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Chion arms are recorded
The Chion arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Chion Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Chion arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Chion Family in Netherlands
The family name Chion appears in the historical records of the Netherlands during the early nineteenth century, specifically within the province of Friesland. In 1815, the Dutch government implemented a formal civil registration system that required all citizens to adopt and record permanent surnames. This period was a time of significant transition for the region, as the area had recently been liberated from French rule. Families living in Friesland during this era often had names that reflected the unique linguistic blend of the Frisian language and the influence of surrounding European cultures. The Chion name likely emerged or became officially documented during this administrative shift, marking the transition of the family into the modern era of standardized record-keeping. By settling in Friesland, these early family members became part of a distinct maritime and agricultural society that valued local autonomy and deep-rooted community ties.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chion
Derived from the Greek word chion meaning snow.
This name
ChionA surname likely used as a descriptive nickname for someone with white hair or a pale complexion.
also spelled
Chyon
Kion
Shion
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1811–1950
H.K. Schippers, De invoering van de burgerlijke stand in Nederland (The Introduction of the Civil Registry in the Netherlands), 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
