Map of England showing where the Chough arms are recorded
The Chough 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 Chough 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 Chough Family in England
The family name Chough is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with clear evidence of the family residing in the city of York by the year 1620. The name itself is derived from the chough, a distinctive member of the crow family known for its glossy black feathers and bright red beak. In medieval times, people were often given surnames based on their physical traits, their occupations, or the wildlife they encountered in their local environment. It is likely that the first person to carry this name earned it because of a personal resemblance to the bird or perhaps because they lived near a place where these birds frequently gathered. By the early seventeenth century, the Chough family had established themselves as part of the urban fabric of York, a city that served as a vital center for trade and administration in the region. Their presence in the city records during this period shows that they were settled members of the community during a time of great social and political change in England.
Chough Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cauc
A bird of the crow family, specifically the red-billed chough.
This name
ChoughA nickname for a person with a dark appearance or a chattering personality.
also spelled
Chowgh
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
