A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cholmondeley family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9700 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
vairProtection, and the winter fur
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
wolfReward from long service and hard work
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“un griffon de sa., bq., m. et ailé d'or; à sen. un loup d'or, coll. de vair. D.: CASSIS TUTISSIMA VIRTUS.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Cholmondeley Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Cholmondeley arms are recorded
The Cholmondeley arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
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.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Cholmondeley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
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.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Cholmondeley Family in France
The family name Cholmondeley traces its roots back to the medieval period in England, but the family also maintained significant connections to France, particularly within the region of Brittany. By the early eighteenth century, members of the family were established in the social and administrative circles of Bretagne. This presence was often linked to the complex political and religious landscape of the time, as families of status frequently moved between the British Isles and the continent to manage estates or serve in diplomatic roles. The name itself reflects a deep connection to the land, as it originated from a specific place in Cheshire, yet the family’s ability to integrate into French society by 1725 highlights their status as members of a mobile, international elite. Through these migrations, the family preserved their identity while adapting to the cultural and linguistic traditions of their French neighbors.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
helmetWisdom and security in defence
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. two helmets ppr., garnished or, in chief and a garb of the last in base”
Irelandc. 1659
Where the Cholmondeley Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Cholmondeley arms are recorded
The Cholmondeley arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1659.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Cholmondeley Family in Ireland
The Cholmondeley family name originates from Cheshire in England, but its presence in Ireland became significant during the seventeenth century. By 1659, records indicate that members of the family were established in Dublin, likely arriving as part of the administrative and military shifts following the Cromwellian conquest. At this time, the name was already known for its unique pronunciation, which remains a linguistic curiosity today. These early settlers in Dublin were often involved in the legal and governmental circles of the city, helping to anchor the family name within the Irish social landscape. Over the following decades, the family integrated into the local community, transitioning from newcomers to residents who participated in the evolving urban life of the Irish capital.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
helmetWisdom and security in defence
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. two esquires' helmets in chief ppr. in base a garb or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cholmondeley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cholmondeley arms are recorded
The Cholmondeley 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 France when the Cholmondeley 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 Cholmondeley Family in England
The family name Cholmondeley originates from the county of Cheshire, where it was first recorded as a place name derived from the Old English words for a clearing belonging to a man named Ceolmund. Over several centuries, the family established deep roots in the region, eventually expanding their influence across northern England. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family had settled in York, reflecting the broader movement of gentry families into major administrative and trade hubs during the early seventeenth century. This transition from rural landholders to urban residents allowed the family to participate more directly in the political and social life of the city. Their presence in York highlights how the family name evolved from a simple geographic identifier into a recognized lineage that navigated the changing landscape of English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ceolmund
Old English personal name meaning ship protector.
This name
CholmondeleyA clearing or meadow belonging to a man named Ceolmund.
also spelled
Chumley
Chumlee
Cholmeley
Cholmley
Related arms
Cholmeleyvariant spelling
Cholmleyvariant spelling
Cholmondleyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Ormerod, George, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 1819
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Fonds de la famille de Cholmondeley, Série E
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griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
wolfReward from long service and hard work
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
wolfReward from long service and hard work
helmetWisdom and security in defence
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
