Show ContentsChalans History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Chalans family

The surname Chalans was first found in Burgundy (French: Bourgogne) where John, Count of Chalon (1190-1267) called the Old (l'Antique), was a French nobleman. He was the son of Stephen III of Auxonne and Beatrice, Countess of Châlon. He had three wives and 16 children. Amoung them was John I of Châlon (1259-1316), seigneur d'Arlay, founder of the Châlon-Arlay branch of the house of Ivrea.

Some emigrated to England shortly after the Conquest. "In the time of Henry 11. Harduin de Chalons married the heiress of Leigh in Devonshire, where his successors flourished for not less than three centuries and a half ; though the time when they became extinct has never been accurately ascertained.

Lyons reckons up twelve descents from the founder of the family, which would bring them down to the reign of Henry VHL, if not later. Their pedigree furnishes a list of great alliances; among them we find co-heiresses of the famous houses of Cantelupe, Mauduit, and Beauchamp. " Challons-Leigh," says Westcote, " takes denomination from the issue of the great Earl of Challons, of whose third son came Sir Harduin de Challons ; and after, Sir Peter Challons of Challons-Leigh under King John ; Sir Ralph, under Edward I.: divers others in descent, until Catharine, a daughter and heir of the family, weakened the strength of their state by strengthening St. Awbin ; yet there remained a branch of the same stock, but planted in another soil." This was in the parish of Tavistock. 1

Early History of the Chalans family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chalans research. Another 439 words (31 lines of text) covering the years 1039, 1065, 1228, 1240, 1303, 1316, 1418, 1462, 1473, 1498, 1530, 1647, 1659, 1665 and 1721 are included under the topic Early Chalans History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chalans Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Chalon, Challon, Chalont, Chalons, Challont, Challons, Chalen, Chalan, Challan, Challen, Challan, Chalant, Challant, Chaland, Challand, Chalans, Challans and many more.

Early Notables of the Chalans family

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chalans Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chalans family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Challoner settled in Nevis in 1654; that same year, Miles Challoner settled in Barbados; Arthur Challoner settled in New England in 1674; Martin Challan settled in Philadelphia in 1875..



  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3


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