This surname is derived from an official title. 'the chamberlain,' literally one who had care of a chamber; he who had charge of his lord's receipts and issues, a treasurer; v. Chambers, where 'de la chambre,' though local in form, is practically official, and frequently meant the chamberlain.

Walter le Chamberlayn, Lincolnshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Martin le Chaumberleyn, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

Geoffrev de Chamberlang, Wiltshire, Henry III-Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.

Ivo le Chaumberleyn, Warwickshire ibid.

Henry le Chamberlein, Buckinghamshire, Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III.

Johannes Chaumburlayne, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

The following eight variations occur in one register:

Colly Chamberlain: St. Peter, Cornhill.

Anne Chamberlaine: ibid.

William Chamberlane: ibid.

Mary Chamberlayne: ibid.

Elizabeth Chamberlen: ibid.

Grace Chamberlin: ibid.

Edward Chamberline: ibid.

Alice Chamberlyn: ibid.

From the office, OF. chamberlenc, Latin camerarius. The office of royal chamberlain was one of great responsibility in virtue of the fact that until the reign of James I he managed the king's revenue and was head of the Exchequer. The great nobles, also, had each a chamberlain who looked after his lord's business affairs. John Camerarius witnessed a confirmation charter by William the Lion, c. 1175 (REA., I, p. 9). Walter Camerarius witnessed a charter by Eschina, wife of Walter Fitz Alan, before 1177 (RMP., p. 74). Menzeis Chammerlan appears in Caldystarris, 1532 (Rental). The surname was never common in Scottish records.

(A. - French - Ger. - Latin - Greek) Chamber - Overseer; Steward [Middle English chamber- leyn(e, chamberlayn(e, cham- berling, O.Fr, chambrelene (French chambellan), O.H.Ger. chamerlinc; from Latin camera, a room, Greek καμάρα, a vaulted place + the Ger. suff. -linc] Walter le Chamberleyne.—Hundred Rolls Syr Hugh the spencer that was the kynges chamberlayne kepte soo the kynges chambre that no man must speke with the kyng.

—Caxton, Chron. English, cxc. iii.

(English, French) The officer in charge of the private household of a king or important nobleman.

A well-known officer of state,, in royal and noble houses and courts. There are several distinct families bearing the surname. Aiulfus Camerarius (the latinized form) was a tenant in chief in co. Dorset, and probably the Conqueror's own chamberlain. One of his possessions in that county is still called Hampreston-Chamberlaine. Ellis, Introd. Domesd. The Chamberlaynes of Maugersbury claim from John, count of Tancarville, whose descendants were hereditary chamberlains to kings Henry I., Stephen, and Henry II. The office of the camerarius was to take charge of the king's camera or treasury, and answered to the treasurer of the household at present. Kelham. Besides Aiulfus above mentioned, at least five other tenants in capite so designated occur in Domesday.

Chamberlain,Chambers. —As these names have much the same signification, I will consider them together. They are scarce or absent in the north and in the south - west of England; but are scattered over the rest of the country, and evidently the one supplies the place of the other, since they rarely occur in any frequency in the same county. Chamberlain occurs most commonly in Leicestershire and Rutlandshire; whilst Chambers is best represented in Suffolk, Worcestershire, and Notts.