The associated coat of arms for this name are recorded in J.B Rietstaps Armorial General. Illustrated by V & H.V Rolland's. This Monumental work took 23 years to complete and 85,000 coats of Arms are included in this work. This French surname of LA CHANCE was a name which was applied to someone who came from CHANCE, an estate in France. The name is also spelt LE CHANCE, CHANCE, CHAUNCE and CANTIUS. The name was brought into England in the wake of the Norman Invasion of 1066, and Robert Chance of County Essex, appears to be the first of the name recorded in 1209. CHEAUNCE (without surname) was recorded in 1310, and Edward Chaunce of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Originally the coat of arms identified the wearer, either in battle or in tournaments. Completely covered in body and facial armour the knight could be spotted and known by the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped garment which enveloped him. Between the 11th and 15th centuries it became customary for surnames to be assumed in Europe, but were not commonplace in England or Scotland before the Norman Conquest of 1066. They are to be found in the Domesday Book of 1086. Those of gentler blood assumed surnames at this time, but it was not until the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) that second names became general practice for all people. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. A notable member of the name was Britton CHANCE, born in 1913, the American biophysicist, born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennysylvania. He was educated at Pennsylvania University and became professor of biophysics there in 1949. He did valuable work on problems of energy generation in biological cells. |
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