Dechaud History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France

This ancient name derives its name from "Cherde, Cerde, which name is traditionally derived from Cerdic, the West-Saxon king." 1

Early Origins of the Dechaud family

The surname Dechaud was first found in Somerset at Chard, a borough, market-town, and parish, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Kingsbury-East. "This was a place of considerable importance during the heptarchy, and was by the Saxons called Cerdre (subsequently Cherde or Cerde), a name supposed to be derived from Cerdic, the founder of the kingdom of Wessex. In the 14th of Edward I. it was incorporated by Bishop Joslin, who set apart fifty-two acres out of his manor of Cherde" 2

Another reference claims the Saxons called the place Cerdren 3 in 1065 but was listed three years later in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Cerdre. 4 Literally the place name possibly meant "house or building in rough ground," from the Old English words "ceart" + "aern." 3 5

One of the first records of the family was John Chard who was listed in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 6

Years later, John ate Charde was listed in the Assize Rolls for Wiltshire in 1281 and later again, Hugh de Cherde was found at Glastonbury, Somerset in 1335. 5

Early History of the Dechaud family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dechaud research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1765, 1787, 1802, 1812, 1832 and 1849 are included under the topic Early Dechaud History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dechaud Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Dechaud has undergone many spelling variations, including Chard, Charde, Chards and others.

Early Notables of the Dechaud family

Notables of this surname at this time include: George William Chard, born about 1765. He received his early musical education in the choir of St. Paul's under Robert Hudson, Mus. Bac. In 1787 he became lay clerk of Winchester Cathedral, and some years later in 1802 was appointed organist of...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dechaud Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dechaud family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Dechaud were among those contributors: Anne Chard who settled in Virginia in 1623; John Chard who settled in Barbados in 1634; Joshua settled in Virginia in 1623; Rachel and George arrived in Pennsylvania in 1773..

The Dechaud 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: Nil desperandum
Motto Translation: Never despairing.

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.