A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chouinard family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9668 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une fasce ondée d'arg., coticée-ondée du même et chargée de trois ancres accostées de sa. C.: un faucon d'arg., le vol levé, posé sur un rocher au nat. et appuyant sa patte dextre sur une quintefeuille d'azur. D.: BY PERSEVERANCE.”
MiddlesexMiddlesex, c. 1859
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Map of France showing where the Chouinard arms are recorded
The Chouinard arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1859.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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.
Napoleon III
Sovereign of the period
Napoleon III
1852–1870
Reigning in France when the Chouinard 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Chouinard Family in France
The surname Chouinard finds its roots in the western regions of France, particularly within the historical provinces of Poitou and Aunis. The name is derived from the Old French word *chouan*, which was a local term used to describe a type of owl. In medieval French society, names often originated from nicknames that highlighted a person's physical traits or their connection to the natural world. Families bearing this name were typically part of the rural population, working as farmers or tradespeople in the coastal areas near the Atlantic. By the seventeenth century, individuals carrying the Chouinard name began to migrate from these French provinces to North America, seeking new opportunities in the colonial territories. This pattern of movement eventually led to the establishment of the family in various parts of the continent, including the documented presence of Chouinard families in Middlesex by 1859.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Az. on a fess wavy ar. betw. two barrulets also wavy or, three anchors sa”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Chouinard arms are recorded
The Chouinard 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 Chouinard 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 Chouinard Family in England
The family name Chouinard has roots that trace back to the medieval period in France, but its presence in England offers a unique perspective on the movement of people during the seventeenth century. By 1620, records indicate that members of the Chouinard family were established in the city of York. At this time, York was a bustling northern hub where trade and religious shifts influenced the lives of its residents. Families with this name likely integrated into the local community by working in skilled trades or commerce, which was common for families living in such an urban center. While the name is distinctly French in origin, its early appearance in English records suggests that these individuals were part of a broader network of travelers and settlers who moved across the English Channel. Living in York provided these early family members with a stable environment to build their lives, and their presence there serves as a testament to the early international connections held by the family long before later migrations.
Chouinard Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
coing
A wedge or a corner piece of wood or metal.
This name
ChouinardDerived from a nickname for a maker or user of wooden wedges.
also spelled
Cunnard
Cunart
Kunard
Cunnerd
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Jetté, René, Dictionnaire généalogique des familles du Québec, 1983
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, Registres de l'état civil
Library and Archives Canada, Census of Canada, 1861
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
