To all those who received the scroll I had but were unable to read it...here is what was on the scroll. I do not know if the information is correct but on the back of the scroll is a whole bunch of sources of information. The words at the top of the crest is Ne cede malis. The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname Chase The distinguished surname Chase is one of the most notable Anglo/Saxon surnames, and its historical trail has emerged from the mists of time to become an influential surname of the middle ages and of the present day. In an in-depth research of such ancient manuscripts as the Domesday Book compiled in 1086 A.D., by Duke William of Normandy, the Ragman Rolls (1291-1296) collected by King Edward 1st of England, the Curia Regis Rolls, The Pipe Rolls, The Hearth Rolls, parish registers, baptismals, tax records and other ancient documents, researchers found the first record of the name Chase in Essex where they had been seated from very ancient times. Confusing to most, we found many different spellings in the archives researched. Although your name, Chase, occurred in many manuscripts, from time to time the surname was also spelt Chase, Chases, Chasey, Chace, Chaces, Chacey, Chaise, Chaises, Chaisey, and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. There is one record, a father and eight sons. In the graveyard where they were buried, all nine have different spellings of their surnames. Many reasons were revealed for these spelling variations but mainly church officials and scribes spelt the name as it was told to them. The family name Chase is one of the most notable of the ancient Anglo/Saxon race. This founding race of England, a fair skinned people led by the Saxon General/Commanders Hengist and Horsa, settled in Kent from about the year 400 A.D. The Angles, on the other hand, occupied the eastern coast. The Anglo/Saxon five-century domination of English society was an uncertain time, and the nation divided into five separate kingdoms, a high king being elected as supreme ruler. By 1066, King Harold came to the throne of England, which was enjoying reasonable peace and prosperity. However, the Norman invasion from France and their victory at the Battle of Hastings, found many of the vanquished Saxon landowners forfeiting their land to Duke William and his invading nobles. They became oppressed under Norman rule, and some moved northward to the midlands. Lancashire and Yorkshire, even into Scotland. The family name Chase emerged as a notable English family name in the country of Essex. One of the first records of the name was of Robert Chase who was recorded as having estates in the county of Essex in the year 1327. By the year 1393 the name had branched northward to Yorkshire where John Chase was recorded as having land in that county. The name flourished in these times and there is every reason to believe they left their mark in landmarks such as Chasey Woods and Chasey Farms in Oxfordshire. The name also branched to neighboring Buckinghamshire. But in most instances remained to the eastern and southern counties of England. Notable amongst the family at this time was Chase of Essex. For the next two or three centuries bearers of the surname Chase flourished and played a significant role in the political development of England. During the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries England was ravaged by religious and political conflict. Puritanism, Catholicism, Royalist and parliamentary forces shed much blood. Many families were freely "encouraged" to migrate to Ireland, or to the "colonies". Some were rewarded with grants of lands, others were banished. In Ireland, settlers became known as the Adventurers seeking land in Ireland. Called "undertakers" they undertook to maintain the Protestant faith. There is no record of this distinguished family migrating to Ireland, but this does not preclude the possibility of individual migration. Meanwhile the New World beckoned and migration continued, some voluntarily from Ireland, but mostly directly from England or Scotland, their home territories. Some clans and families even moved to he European continent. Kinsmen of the family name Chase were amongst the many who sailed aboard the armada of small sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships were pestilence ridden, sometimes 30% to 40% of the passenger list never reaching their destination, their numbers reduced by sickness or the elements. Principal amongst the settlers which could be considered a kinsman of the surname Chase, or a variable spelling of that family name was Aquilla, and his brother, Thomas, who were born in Chesham in Buckinghamshire, England, between 1580 and 1585, settled in Hampton, firstly, then Newburyport. Aquilla and his wife Ann (Wheeler) had many children, and they were mostly fisher people with trawlers off the coast of Maine. Other notables of the same family name who landed were Lt. Isaac Chase, 1675, Joseph Chase, Master of a Coaster, Thomas Chase, seaman, and many more. The trek from the port of entry was also arduous and many joined the wagon trains to the prairies or to the West Coast. During the American War of Independence, many loyalists made their way north to Canada about 1790, and became known as the United Empire Loyalists. 20th century notables of this surname, Chase, include many distinguished persons, Stuart Chase, American Author; Anya Seton Chase, authoress, both British by birth but American by adoption and residence; Samuel Chase, Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and signer of the Declaration of Independence, (1741-1911); Frederick Chase of Philadelphia; William Chase of Yarmouth, Mass; Mary Ellen Chase (1887-1973), American writer and teacher. Research has determined the above Coat of Arms to be the most ancient recorded for the family surname Chase. *************** Junelle L. McClintic http://www.bigfoot.com/~sweetamiga May you feel the blessings of God's love today and always!