Challen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
Wales
Scotland

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 family

The 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 family

This 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 Variations

Although 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 family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Sir 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...
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 Australia +

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

Challen Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Challen, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eliza" in 1840 4
Charlotte Challen, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eliza" in 1840 4
Henry Challen, aged 31, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Macedon" in 1849 5
Ellen Challen, aged 30, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Macedon" in 1849 5
Charlotte Challen, aged 5, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Macedon" in 1849 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Challen (post 1700) +

James Challen (b. 1787), English cricketer
James Challen (1825-1900), English cricketer
Albert Charles Challen (1847-1881), British painter
Dr Craig Challen, Australian technical diver and cave explorer, recipient of the Oztek 2009 Diver of the Year Award
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
Challen W. Waychoff, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1928 6

Citations +

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)
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
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html