Well, the Becker coat of arms has given rise to a relative to have one designed for them. Their family is European, but they don’t have much genealogically.
Name: Denny Frederick Challis
They are fond of Azure and Argent.
With a name like Challis - I’m thinking a Chalice of some sort - although the internet says the name also may come from the French for ladder.
They would like to incorporate fish - Perch, but not picky of specific species.
In the crest possibly a Jack Russel Terrior.
Motto: By Skill Not Force.
I am thinking maybe something like:
Shield: Azure between two perch reguardant embowed a pale argent charged with a chalice azure?
Crest: On a wreath of the colors a Jack Russel Terrier <white spotted brown - tell me how THAT isn’t proper?> sejant holding in his mouth a perch argent. (Not sure I like the argent fish in crest.. Maybe the dog should be fishing LOL…)
OK folks - thoughts? :confused:
Of course, I might be able to suggest Azure and Or… which I think might be better… Or between two perch reguardant embowed a pale Azure charged with a chalice Or…?
It is interesting to see someone else with the motto “By Skill Not Force”. Are they going with the latin "Arte Non Vi”?
I think they are sticking with English.
OK - it’s time to completely embarass myself with my complete lack of ability and using PPT and some clipart kinda things…
Right now the Challis family likes this - I’m thinking it’s not overly inspired:
http://www.americanheraldry.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1076&stc=1&d=1335650721
I was going kind of this route:
http://www.americanheraldry.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1077&stc=1&d=1335651027
The fish would be gold… the shield incorporating the "challis"
Thoughts?
The top one is more heraldic and in my opinion better.
Kathy, I’ve found the marriage of an Elizabeth Challis to an Alexander Reynoldson in 1635 in Roxwell England. I’ve also found a memorial stone to the first settlers (1654) of Amesbury, Massachusetts which includes the name of a Philip Challis born 1617 in Salisbury, Essex, (England) died April 22, 1691, Amesbury, Essex, (USA).
I’m not suggesting that these references bear any relation to your Challis family, however the marriage and memorial do suggest the family name, while not common, is well established in the UK and USA.
The General Armory of England Scotland and Wales gives the Challis arms as; Vert between two bars engrailed Argent three bezants. And for Challis as Lord Mayor of London; Azure a bend between four mullets Argent a chief checky of the first and last.
Finally, what about Azure three fishes Or, and move the chalice to the crest. (I suspect however that might already be taken *sigh*).
Joseph McMillan;93166 wrote:
The top one is more heraldic and in my opinion better.
Thanks, Joe - please remember it’s just grabbed clipart.. I’ll have an artist do it properly… appropriate tincture rules and all when we have a design. The family likes the top on better as well.
Richard G.;93167 wrote:
Kathy, I’ve found the marriage of an Elizabeth Challis to an Alexander Reynoldson in 1635 in Roxwell England. I’ve also found a memorial stone to the first settlers (1654) of Amesbury, Massachusetts which includes the name of a Philip Challis born 1617 in Salisbury, Essex, (England) died April 22, 1691, Amesbury, Essex, (USA).
I’m not suggesting that these references bear any relation to your Challis family, however the marriage and memorial do suggest the family name, while not common, is well established in the UK and USA.
The General Armory of England Scotland and Wales gives the Challis arms as; Vert between two bars engrailed Argent three bezants. And for Challis as Lord Mayor of London; Azure a bend between four mullets Argent a chief checky of the first and last.
Finally, what about Azure three fishes Or, and move the chalice to the crest. (I suspect however that might already be taken *sigh*).
Thanks for looking, Richard. I shall provide them the information. Being the chalice kind of represents a mediocre cant.. I got them to move the dog to the crest… (thank goodness)....
Found a few close to what you suggest Richard (quick google search):
413. William de Dernepord. Azure three fishes hauriant or
PROUDE, Kent. Vert, three fishes hauriant or, spotted gules
3d. Azure, three fish naiant argent, " Roche.
Kathy McClurg;93169 wrote:
Thanks for looking, Richard. I shall provide them the information. Being the chalice kind of represents a mediocre cant.. I got them to move the dog to the crest… (thank goodness)....
If the family are interested, and you can provide me (by PM) with some dates, I’ll have a look. There may already have been research carried out. Although I suspect this could be a name with endless spelling variants, it’s still worth a try.
Kathy McClurg;93170 wrote:
Found a few close to what you suggest Richard (quick google search):
413. William de Dernepord. Azure three fishes hauriant or
PROUDE, Kent. Vert, three fishes hauriant or, spotted gules
3d. Azure, three fish naiant argent, " Roche.
Hmmm - Azure semé of fishtails Or? (Ok - I can see you’re reaching for the duct tape - I’ll stop.) :whistle:
Here’s an idea: Azure, rising from a chalice a demi perch Or. 
Sorry, that Dr. Demento song stuck in my head, hehehe.
Richard G.;93176 wrote:
If the family are interested, and you can provide me (by PM) with some dates, I’ll have a look. There may already have been research carried out. Although I suspect this could be a name with endless spelling variants, it’s still worth a try.
Thanks, Richard - I’ll pass that along!
Semé of fistails? What color duct tape would you like?
Sorry Jeffrey, I’m not all that familiar with Dr. Demento - write it off to age (maybe).
Having experienced the 70’s and the 80’s without having heard the fish heads song, means, not fully having experienced the 70’s and the 80’s. Thankfully I am here to assist with this helpful link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCQSitE-nQ4.
Warning; having heard this song, any heraldic fish will unfortunately appear in a much different and possibly unanticipated light. This song cannot be unheard and is the reason why Dr. Demento’s 70’s radio show became (in-)famous.
Richard’s semy of fish tails just makes it worse, hehe.
UGH - one of the "buried deep in the consciousness" songs… I recognize it. Now, I experienced the 70’s and 80’s, but most of the 80’s inebriated…. and a little of the 70’s… I started early…