A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chivers family of England.
Reg. 0448 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
gyronUnity and the joining of parts
cinquefoilHope and joy
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 cinquefoils gu. and a gyron issuing from the dexter side in chief az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Chivers Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Chivers arms are recorded
The Chivers 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 Chivers 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 Chivers Family in England
The surname Chivers is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive name, likely derived from the Old French word "chivre," which means goat. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name may have been goat herders or lived near a place associated with the animal. 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 Chivers family were active residents in this region during a time of significant social and economic change in Northern England. As these early family members navigated life in York, they contributed to the local community through their trades and daily labor, helping to root the name firmly within the English landscape. Over the following centuries, the family name spread from these northern origins to other parts of the country, maintaining a connection to its humble, occupational beginnings.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chevre
Old French term for a goat.
This name
ChiversAn occupational name for a goatherd or someone who kept goats.
also spelled
Chyvers
Chyver
Related arms
Cheversvariant spelling
Chyvervariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
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.
gyronUnity and the joining of parts
cinquefoilHope and joy
gyronUnity and the joining of parts
cinquefoilHope and joy
