| ![Show Contents]() Challen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of ChallenWhat does the name Challen mean? The surname Challen is derived from the Old English word "chaloun," which means "blanket." This word comes from the place named Châlons-sur-Marne, a prosperous industrial center in Europe, where these items were produced. 1 The name is thought to have been occupational a chaloner,' a manufacturer or seller of chalons, woollen stuffs, especially coverlets or blankets. 2 "In his owen chambre he made a bedde with shetes, and with chalons fair yspredde," Chaucer, Reve's Tale. Early Origins of the Challen familyThe surname Challen was first found in Powys (Welsh: Powys), a Welsh Kingdom in post-Roman times, now a county of Wales created by joining the former counties of Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire, and Breconshire, 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. By the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, the name was scattered: Geoffrey le Chaloner, Essex; Thomas le Chalunner, Cambridgeshire; and Nicholas le Chalouner, Derbyshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Elilabetha Chaloner, 1379; Ricardus Schaloner, coverht-wever; Adam Chalonar, coverlid-uvfer. The last two entries are very interesting, connecting as they do the name with the trade. 2 Years later in Scotland, Robert Chalonar held a tenement in Linlithow in 1472 and John Chalonare was a witness there in the same year. 3 Early History of the Challen familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Challen research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1472, 1521, 1558, 1559, 1565, 1595, 1615, 1643, 1650, 1661, 1691, 1699 and 1781 are included under the topic Early Challen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Challen Spelling VariationsAlthough there are not an extremely large number Welsh surnames, there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations of those surnames. This variety of spellings began almost immediately after the acceptance of surnames within Welsh society. As time progressed, these old Brythonic names were eventually were recorded in English. This process was problematic in that many of the highly inflected sounds of the native language of Wales could not be properly captured in English. Some families, however, did decide to modify their own names to indicate a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even a patriotic affiliation. The name Challen has seen various spelling variations: Chaloner, Challener, Challenor, Challinor, Chalener, Chalenor, Challoner, Chalinor, Challon, Challin, Challen, Chalen, Chalin and many more. Early Notables of the Challen familySir Thomas Chaloner (1521-1565), an English statesman and poet, eldest son of Roger Chaloner, citizen and mercer of London, a member of an old Welsh family; Rev. Edward Chaloner, Chaplain to Charles I; Sir Thomas Chaloner (1559-1615), an English naturalist who introduced alum manufacturing to England; and Thomas Chaloner (1595-1661), an English politician, commissioner at the trial of Charles I and signatory to his death warrant.
Richard Challoner (1691-1781), was a Catholic prelate, son of Richard Challoner, a wine cooper at Lewes in Sussex. "Soon afterwards the father died, leaving his young widow with her infant child totally unprovided for. Fortunately she...
Another 294 words (21 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Challen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Challen migration to the United States | + |
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in search of land, work, and freedom. These immigrants greatly contributed to the rapid development of the new nations of Canada and the United States. They also added a rich and lasting cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Challen:
Challen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Thomas Challen, aged 24, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Yorkshire" in 1849 4
- Wm Challen, aged 21, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Yorkshire" in 1849 4
- George Challen, aged 39, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cumberland" in 1852 4
- Sarah Challen, aged 3, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Bergan Adams" in 1857 4
- Maria Challen, aged 42, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Bergan Adams" in 1857 4
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Challen Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Godfrey Chas. Challen, aged 28, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Saint Louis" in 1903 4
- Henry Tipper Challen, aged 30, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Philadelphia" in 1906 4
| Challen migration to Canada | + |
Challen Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- John Challen, aged 65, British settler found on the Canadian census in 1871 in Ontario, Canada, arrived prior to this date 5
- Samuel Challen, aged 21, British artist found on the Ontario census in 1871 in Ontario, Canada, arrived prior to this date 5
- Newton Challen, aged 20, British wagon maker found on the Ontario census in 1871 in Ontario, Canada, arrived prior to this date 5
- John Challen, aged 58, British farmer found on the Ontario census in 1871 in Ontario, Canada, arrived prior to this date 5
Challen Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century- Berma Challen, aged 25, Irish settler found on the Canadian census in 1906 in Manitoba, Canada, arrived prior to this date 5
- Edward Challen, aged 22, Austrian settler found on the Canadian census in 1906 in Manitoba, Canada, arrived prior to this date 5
- John Challen, aged 28, Irish settler found on the Canadian census in 1906 in Manitoba, Canada, arrived prior to this date 5
- Margaret Challen, aged 20, Irish settler found on the Canadian census in 1906 in Manitoba, Canada, arrived prior to this date 5
- Reber Challen, aged 26, Irish settler found on the Canadian census in 1906 in Manitoba, Canada, arrived prior to this date 5
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Challen migration to Australia | + |
Challen Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- William Challen, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eliza" in 1840 6
- Charlotte Challen, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eliza" in 1840 6
- Henry Challen, aged 31, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Macedon" in 1849 7
- Ellen Challen, aged 30, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Macedon" in 1849 7
- Charlotte Challen, aged 5, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Macedon" in 1849 7
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Challen Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century- Mrs. Challen, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Otway" in 1909 8
- Miss H. Challen, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Otway" in 1909 8
- Mr. J. Challen, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Otway" in 1909 8
- C. Challen, British settler who arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Baradine" in 1924 8
- Revd. Charles Challen, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Largs Bay" in 1931 8
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Challen (post 1700) | + |
- William Challen (b. 1786), English first-class cricketer
- Michael Boyd Challen (b. 1932), retired Australian Anglican bishop
- Dr Craig Challen (b. 1965), Australian technical diver and cave explorer, recipient of the Oztek 2009 Diver of the Year Award
- James Challen (b. 1787), English cricketer
- James Challen (1825-1900), English cricketer
- Albert Charles Challen (1847-1881), British painter
- John Bonamy Challen (1863-1937), English cricketer who made 52 first-class appearances
- Charles Challen (1894-1960), British barrister and Conservative politician
- Colin Robert Challen (b. 1953), British Labour Party politician
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-rsult
- Ontario census Search retrieved 21st October 2024. Retrieved from https://library-archives.canada.ca
- State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ELIZA 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Eliza.htm
- State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The MACEDON 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Macedon.htm
- National Archives of Australia retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au
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