Show ContentsChearray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Chearray family name to the British Isles. They lived in Lincolnshire. They are descended from the line of the House of De Cheries, Seigneurs of Brauvel, Beauval, in Normandy, near Avranches. The name Chearray is derived from the Anglo Norman French word, cherise, which means cherry, 1 and was probably used to indicate a landmark, such as a cherry tree, which distinguished the location bearing the name.

Early Origins of the Chearray family

The surname Chearray was first found in Derbyshire, The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list William Chirie. 2 A few years later in 1284, the Assize Rolls of Lancashire list Rober Chyry. The Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk list Richard Chery in 1524. 1

Early History of the Chearray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chearray research. Another 198 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1348, 1368, 1484, 1509, 1524, 1665, 1683, 1706, 1713 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Chearray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chearray Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Cherry, Cherrie, Cherrey, Cherries, Chery, Chearie, Chearry, Cherie and many more.

Early Notables of the Chearray family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chearray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Chearray family to Ireland

Some of the Chearray family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chearray family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Chearray or a variant listed above: John Cherry landed in America in Virginia in 1637; Franc. Cherry, who arrived in Virginia in 1643; Richard Cherry, who arrived in Virginia in 1655; William Cherry, who came to Virginia in 1659.



The Chearray Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Cheris l'espoir
Motto Translation: Cherish hope.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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