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Show ContentsChambers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The name Chambers is derived from the old French word "cha(u)mbre," meaning "chamber," and is thought to have originally been an occupational name for someone who worked in the private living quarters of the aristocracy.

Early Origins of the Chambers family

The surname Chambers was first found in Denbighshire where they held lands at Llewenne, granted to John de Chambre from the Earl of Lincoln, who was Constable of Chester. John was a "nobelle Normanne who entred Englaunde in ye traine of King Williaume." 1

"We also find Chalmer in Suffolk and Worcester in the 13th century: Roger le Chalmere in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1255; and Ralph le Chalmer in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275." 2

More often than not, the singular form of the name was in use in early days. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Walter de la Chaumbre, Lincolnshire; and Henry de la Chambre, Lincolnshire. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Robertas del Chaumbire; Johannes del Chaumbir; Alicia Chaumbir, maydyne; and Willelimus del Chaumbir. 3

John A Chamber or Chamberlayne (d. 1489), the English rebel, "a knight of great influence in the north, excited the people to join the rebellion headed by Sir John Egremond in Northumberland and Durham against the heavy subsidy of 1489. Henry, earl of Northumberland, who had orders to enforce the tax, endeavoured to persuade him to cease his agitation. Chamber would not hear him, and on 20 April the earl was slain by the rebels at Cock Lodge, near Thirsk. Then Thomas, earl of Surrey, was sent to put down the insurrection. He took Chamber and utterly routed the rebels. Chamber was executed at York 'in great state,' being hanged on 'a gibbet set on a square pair of gallows 'with his chief accomplices hanging 'upon the lower story round about him.' " 4

Early History of the Chambers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chambers research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1219, 1240, 1296, 1351, 1472, 1528, 1546, 1556, 1560, 1569, 1571, 1582, 1583, 1588, 1592, 1593, 1604, 1609, 1624, 1628, 1633, 1658, 1726, 1775, 1796 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Chambers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chambers Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Chambers, Chalmers, Chamer, Chalmairs, Challmers and others.

Early Notables of the Chambers family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • John Chambers (d. 1556), the last abbot and the first Bishop of Peterborough, born at Peterborough. "He became a monk in the great Benedictine abbey of that place, and eventually elected its abbot in...
  • Robert Chambers (1571-1624?), was a Catholic divine, a native of Yorkshire, and arrived as a boy at the English college at Rheims in December 1582. 4
  • Sabine Chambers (1560?-1633), was a Jesuit, born in Leicestershire in or about 1560, and entered Broadgates Hall, Oxford, where he took the degrees in arts, that of master being completed in 1583. (NB...
  • Richard Chambers (1588?-1658), was a merchant living in the parish of St. Mary of the Arches, in the ward of Cheap, London. "He distinguished himself by his opposition to the levy of tonnage and pound...
  • Sir William Chambers R.A.(1726-1796), was a British architect who rebuilt Somerset House in 1775, and also laid out Kew Gardens and designed the Pagoda there

Chambers World Ranking

In the United States, the name Chambers is the 290th most popular surname with an estimated 92,019 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Chambers is ranked the 511st most popular surname with an estimated 9,570 people with that name. 6 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Chambers is the 569th popular surname with an estimated 80 people with that name. 7 Australia ranks Chambers as 294th with 12,036 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Chambers as 308th with 1,980 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Chambers as 210th with 27,137 people. 10

Ireland Migration of the Chambers family to Ireland

Some of the Chambers family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 318 words (23 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Chambers migration to the United States +

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Chambers name or one of its variants:

Chambers Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Chambers, aged 21 who settled in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Bona Nova"
  • Alice Chambers, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "Southampton" 11
  • James Chambers, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 11
  • Thomas Chambers, aged 24, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "Southampton" 11
  • Miss Anne Chambers, British settler who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Chambers Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Chambers, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1712-1713 11
  • Jane Chambers, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 11
  • John Chambers, who landed in Maryland in 1716 11
  • Joseph Chambers, who settled in Georgia in 1733
  • Patrick Chambers, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Chambers Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Chambers, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 11
  • Edward Chambers, who settled in New York City in 1804
  • Edward Chambers, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 11
  • Isa Chambers, who arrived in America in 1805 11
  • Alex Chambers, who landed in America in 1805 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Chambers migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Chambers Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
Chambers Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Henry Chambers, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Charles Chambers, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • John Chambers, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • John Chambers, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1760
  • William Chambers, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1779 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Chambers Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Chambers, aged 19, who arrived in Canada in 1811
  • James Chambers, who landed in Canada in 1816
  • Alexander Chambers was Justice of the Peace for southern Newfoundland in 1834 13
  • George Chambers, aged 17, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
  • Elizabeth Chambers, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Chambers Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Louie F. Chambers (Mrs), (b. 1878), aged 25, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Patricia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th August 1903 en route to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 14
  • R T Chambers, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Australia Chambers migration to Australia +

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

Chambers Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Chambers, British Convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Miss Eleanor Chambers, (Ellen, Chamberlain), (b. 1787), aged 25, English house servant who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for theft, transported aboard the "Emu" in October 1812, the ship was captured and the passengers put ashore, the convicts were then transported aboard the "Broxburnebury" in January 1812 arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Mr. George Chambers, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. William Chambers, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. William Chambers who was convicted in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Dick" on 2nd October 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Chambers migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Chambers Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Mary Chambers, (b. 1826), aged 32, English settler from Hertfordshire travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st September 1858 19
  • Mr. Charles William Chambers, (b. 1828), aged 30, English carpenter from Hertfordshire travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st September 1858 19
  • Miss Jessie Mary Chambers, (b. 1857), aged 1, English settler from Hertfordshire travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st September 1858 19
  • Mr. James Chambers, (b. 1836), aged 22, Irish labourer from County Down travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 19
  • William Chambers, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ida Zeigler" in 1863
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Chambers migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 20
Chambers Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Miss Elizabeth Chambers, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 21

Contemporary Notables of the name Chambers (post 1700) +

  • Mortimer H. Chambers (1927-2020), American Ancient Historian from Saginaw, Michigan
  • Anne Beau Cox Chambers (1919-2020), American media proprietor and diplomat, United States Ambassador to Belgium from 1977 to 1981
  • Brigadier-General William Earl Chambers (1892-1952), American Chief of Operations Division, G-3 Section, US Army Forces Pacific (1945) 22
  • Jay Vivian "Whittaker" Chambers (1901-1961), American writer, editor and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers (1935-1969), American jazz bassist
  • Colonel Justice Marion Chambers (1908-1982), American Marine Corps officer awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1945
  • William Paris Chambers (1854-1913), American composer, cornet soloist, and bandmaster
  • Robert William Chambers (1865-1933), American artist and writer
  • Emma Gwynedd Mary Chambers (1964-2018), English actress, best known for her role as Alice Tinker in the BBC comedy The Vicar of Dibley and as Honey Thacker in the film Notting Hill (1999)
  • Sir Edmund Kerchever Chambers (1866-1954), English literary critic and Shakespearean scholar
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Prince of Wales
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Guy Winstaney P. Chambers, American 2nd Class passenger from Boston, Massachusetts, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 24
  • Mrs. Ethel Chambers, American 2nd Class passenger from Boston, Massachusetts, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 24
RMS Titanic
  • Mrs. Bertha Chambers, (née Griggs), aged 32, American First Class passenger from New York City, New York who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping in life boat 5 25
  • Mr. Norman Campbell Chambers, aged 27, American First Class passenger from New York City, New York who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping in life boat 5 25
  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  7. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  12. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  13. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  14. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Emu
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Dick
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  21. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  22. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, November 3) William Chambers. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Chambers/William_Earl/USA.html
  23. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  24. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  25. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
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