Challas History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Challas

What does the name Challas mean?

The name Challas reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Challas family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Challas family lived in Hertfordshire. The family was originally from Eschailles, in Pas de Calais, Normandy, and it is from this location that their surname is derived.

Early Origins of the Challas family

The surname Challas was first found in Hertfordshire where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Challas family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Challas research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1449 is included under the topic Early Challas History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Challas Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Challis, Challes, Challers, Challice, Challies, Challiss, Chalis, Chales, Chalers, Chalice, Chalies and many more.

Early Notables of the Challas family

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

Migration of the Challas family

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Challas name or one of its variants: Phillip Challis settled in Newbury Massachusetts in 1637; Edward Challis settled in Virginia in 1639; Robert Chalis settled in New England in 1698.