A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chisnall family of England.
Reg. 3965 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. three crosses botonnée gu. within a bordure of the last”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Chisnall Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Chisnall arms are recorded
The Chisnall 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 Chisnall 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 Chisnall Family in England
The family name Chisnall is rooted in the geography of medieval England, specifically originating as a locative surname derived from the township of Chisnall in Lancashire. During the early seventeenth century, the family began to establish a presence in various northern urban centers, including a notable documented appearance in York by 1620. As people moved from rural manors to growing trade hubs, families like the Chisnalls often adapted to city life by engaging in local commerce or professional guilds. This transition from a specific place name to a recognized family identity reflects the broader movement of English people during the Stuart period. By settling in historical cities like York, these early ancestors contributed to the social fabric of the region as they integrated into the developing urban economy of the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chesenhal
A nook or corner of land belonging to a person named Cissa.
This name
ChisnallDerived from a locative surname originating from a specific settlement in Lancashire, England.
also spelled
Chysnall
Chysnal
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Place-Names of Lancashire, 1922
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
