Show ContentsChallice History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Challice is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Challice family lived in Hertfordshire. The family was originally from Eschailles, in Pas de Calais, Normandy, and it is from this location that their surname is derived.

Early Origins of the Challice family

The surname Challice was first found in Hertfordshire where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Challice family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Challice research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1449 is included under the topic Early Challice History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Challice Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Challis, Challes, Challers, Challice, Challies, Challiss, Chalis, Chales, Chalers, Chalice, Chalies and many more.

Early Notables of the Challice family

More information is included under the topic Early Challice Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Challice migration to the United States +

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, travelling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Challice or a variant listed above:

Challice Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • James Challice, who landed in Virginia in 1653 [1]
  • Francis Challice, who arrived in Maryland in 1663 [1]

Australia Challice migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Challice Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Rebecca Challice, aged 41, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Violet"


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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