A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chohan family of France.
owlWisdom and vigilance by nightJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à une chouette de sa.”
The Chohan arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Reigning in France when the Chohan arms are first recorded.
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
The family name Chohan traces its roots to the rugged landscape of Brittany, a region in northwestern France known for its distinct cultural identity. Historical records confirm that members of the Chohan family were established in this area by 1663, living as part of the local community during a time of significant social and agricultural development. The name itself is deeply connected to the Breton language, which was the primary tongue spoken by families in the region during the seventeenth century. Early Chohan ancestors were likely involved in the traditional trades of the Breton countryside, such as farming or maritime activities, which were essential to the survival of families in coastal villages. By settling in Brittany, the family became part of a long tradition of regional resilience, contributing to the unique history and local customs that defined the area for generations.
Derived from the French word for owl or screech owl.
