Cheyter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Cheyter is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Cheyter family lived in Somerset. They were originally from Carteret Manche, Normandy.

Early Origins of the Cheyter family

The surname Cheyter was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Cheyter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cheyter research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1090, 1178 and 1494 are included under the topic Early Cheyter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cheyter Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Chaytor, Chater, Chaters, Chator, Chators and others.

Early Notables of the Cheyter family

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

Migration of the Cheyter family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Cheyter or a variant listed above: J. Chayter who settled in Baltimore in 1823. James Chaytor settled in Baltimore in 1823; Mary and William Chaytor arrived in New York City in 1823; John Chaytor settled in Newbury in 1635..

The Cheyter 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: Fortune le veut
Motto Translation: Fortune so wills it.