Chap History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Chap

What does the name Chap mean?

The annals of Scottish history reveal that Chap was first used as a name by ancestors of the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland. The Chap family lived in Stirling (now part of the modern region of Central), where the name can be found since very early times.

Early Origins of the Chap family

The surname Chap was first found in Stirlingshire, 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.

Early History of the Chap family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chap research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1713 is included under the topic Early Chap History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chap Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Chap has been spelled Cheap, Cheaps, Cheape, Chaip, Chaipe and others.

Early Notables of the Chap family

More information is included under the topic Early Chap Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chap family

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Chap: Patrick Cheap who arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1712.

The Chap 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: Ditat virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue enriches.