| ![Show Contents]() Chevaler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of ChevalerWhat does the name Chevaler mean? The name Chevaler is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who worked as a knight. The surname Chevaler is derived from the Old French word chevalier, which means knight, but horseman and rider are more literal translations. This is derived from the Late Latin word caballarius, which is a derivative of the word caballus, which means horse. 1 In medieval times, only men of wealth could afford the upkeep of a riding horse. In most cases, the surname Chevaler was originally an occupational name applied to a knight's servant, rather than to the knight himself, since most members of the knighthood belonged to noble families which bore surnames derived from their estates. Early Origins of the Chevaler familyThe surname Chevaler was first found in Suffolk, where they held a family seat at Aspal from ancient times. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Jordan le Chevaler, Northamptonshire; and Walter le Chevaler, Wiltshire. 2 Early History of the Chevaler familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chevaler research. Another 223 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1273, 1332, 1500, 1540, 1546, 1643, 1661 and 1805 are included under the topic Early Chevaler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Chevaler Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Chevaler are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Chevaler include Chevalier, Chivaler, Chevaler, Cheveler, Cheualer and others. Early Notables of the Chevaler familyThomas Cheveler, the Vicar of Stow in Norfolk in the 1540s.
John Chevalier (fl. 1661), was a "chronicler of Jersey about the period of the civil war, was a vingtenier, or tything man, of the town of St. Heliers. He was somewhat superstitious, and a moderate royalist. The events which he relates happened during his lifetime. His narrative is divided into three parts: the first opens with the dissensions of Dean Bandinel with the Lieutenant-Governor about a royal grant of the great tithes of St. Saviour's...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chevaler Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Chevaler family to IrelandSome of the Chevaler 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.
| Chevaler migration to the United States | + |
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Chevaler or a variant listed above:
Chevaler Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- Philip Chevaler, who landed in Maryland in 1668 3
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: Fidei coticula crux
Motto Translation: The cross is the test of truth.
- 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)
- 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)
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