A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chislett family of England.
Reg. 5170 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Per fess ar. and az. a castle betw. four escallops counterchanged”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Chislett Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Chislett arms are recorded
The Chislett arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Chislett 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Chislett Family in England
The family name Chislett originates from the county of Kent in southeastern England. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this region by the early seventeenth century. The name is considered a locative surname, which means it was likely derived from a specific place name or a small settlement where the family first resided. During the 1600s, Kent was a bustling area shaped by its proximity to the English Channel and its role in agricultural trade. Families like the Chisletts often lived in rural parishes where they worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople. Over time, the name became firmly rooted in the local community, and records from the era show the family participating in the daily life of Kentish villages through church registrations and local property documents.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chesel
Old English term referring to gravel or shingle.
This name
ChislettA topographical name for someone who lived near a gravelly or pebbly area.
also spelled
Chyslett
Chyslet
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cottle, Basil. The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. 1967
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Kent Archives. Archdeaconry of Canterbury Marriage Licences. 1620
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
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
