Chamness History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Chamness reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Chamness family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Chamness family lived in Yorkshire. They were originally from Champigne or Champagne, Normandy, and it is from the family's residence there that the name derives. 1

"There is every reason to believe that the Norman De Champignys were represented by some of the numerous English families of Champneys. They belonged to a very ancient stock. Geoffrey de Champigne held a knight’s fee in the Bailifry of Pont-Audemer in 1165; and two De Champignys appear on the roll of the Norman nobles assembled in 1789." 2

Early Origins of the Chamness family

The surname Chamness was first found in Somersetshire they claim descent from the Sieur de Champney in Normandy. From him the Chamneys of Orchardleuigh in Oxfordshire descend. 3

"In Somerset, the family was seated for a long succession of generations, and inter-married with some of the greatest West country families. Two of the name-Henry and Thomas-are among the Somersetshire gentlemen certified (as qualified) to be Knights of the Bath in the time of Henry VII. This Henry Champneys, who succeeded his father in 1505, and married a Seymour heiress, is the first of the family styled of Orchardleigh, where his descendants were to be found for nearly three centuries and a half. Three of them served as Sheriffs of Somerset, in 1695, 1728, and 1775; and the last of these was created a Baronet in 1767." 2

Other early entries for the family include: William le Champeneys who was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1219 and John Champenay in Freeman Rolls of Yorkshire in 1333. 4

"In Shropshire the name, as Le Champeneys, is several times recorded by Eyton in the thirteenth century. Robert Champneys of Dorrington was the successor of Reginald de Dodinton, who held of Robert Fitz Hugh, Forester of Bolas, in the commencement of that century; and William Champneis of Wildesley is mentioned in 1253. " 2

But by the 14th century, many of the family were found in Yorkshire as the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Johannes Chaumpenay, 1379; Johanna Chaumpenay, 1379; and Henricus Chaumpnay as all holding lands there at that time. 5

Early History of the Chamness family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chamness research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1534, 1548, 1569, 1643 and 1669 are included under the topic Early Chamness History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chamness Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Chamness family name include Champney, Chamnes, Chamness, Chamney, Champneys and many more.

Early Notables of the Chamness family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Anthony Champney (1569?-1643?), English Catholic divine, descended from a family of good account in Yorkshire, was born in that county in...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chamness Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chamness Ranking

In the United States, the name Chamness is the 7,994^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Chamness family to Ireland

Some of the Chamness family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chamness migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Chamness family to immigrate North America:

Chamness Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Lester Chamness, aged 32, who arrived in New York in 1894 aboard the ship "Umbria" from Liverpool, England 7
Ida Chamness, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1894 aboard the ship "Umbria" from Liverpool, England 7

The Chamness 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: Pro patria non timidus perire
Motto Translation: Not afraid to die for my country.

Citations +

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)
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result