Chance History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Chance was carried to England in the enormous movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Chance family lived in Cauncy, near Amiens, in northern France. The Sieur de Cauncy came from here. “His descendant Sir Henry Chauncy gained distinction as the historian of Hertfordshire. Many of the name and family are settled in that county.” 1

“It is quite possible that Chance may have been a personal name, like Bonaventure, which it exactly represented; chance in Middle English generally meaning a happy accident, a good mishap. ” 2

Early Origins of the Chance family

The surname Chance was first found in Essex where Robert and Ralph Chance were listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1209 and later in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1310. Simon de Chanci was listed in the Assize Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1218 and later, Roger de Chauncy was found in the Pipe Rolls for Yorkshire in 1230. Also in Yorkshire, we found John Chancy listed there 1293-1294. Later, Roger Chansi was listed in Gloucestershire in 1361. 3