Chessell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Chessell was first found in Essex at either Great Chishall or Little Chishall. Both parishes are in the in the union of Royston, hundred of Uttlesford. "John de Chishal or Chishull, Bishop of London, who died in the year 1279, took his name from Little Chishall." 1 Another John Chishull (John de Chishull) (d. 1180), Bishop of Essex was similarly from this area.

Richard de Chesthull was listed in the Assize Rolls of Shropshire in 1221 and years later, William Chesul was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists William de Chishill in Cambridgeshire and Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III lists John de Chishall, Cambridgeshire, temp. 30 Edward I. 3

Chesil Beach (also known as Chesil Bank) is found in Dorset. This place name was derived from "Chisille bank" c. 1540 from the Old English word "cisel" meaning "shingle" 4 and is today one of three major shingle structures in Britain. Chessel Bay is found in the east of the district of Northam in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The Chessels is an area of Bedminster, Bristol that includes Chessel Street is the main road. The name Chessel is taken from the name of a field, recorded in 1350.