Where does Chevron come from?

Chevron comes from France, first documented in c. 1800s.

Plate No. 015pattern

First documented: c. 1800s
Origin: Europe, France
Fiber: wool, cotton
Weave: zigzag stripe
Family: twills

Plate No. 015 · pattern

Chevron

Chevron is a pattern of continuous, unbroken V shapes formed by stripes meeting at a point. It differs from herringbone in that the zigzag is seamless: the lines run into each other at the peak rather than reversing with a break. The form is old in heraldry and military insignia, where the chevron marked rank, before it became a textile stripe.

Named for

From the French chevron, a rafter, by way of the heraldic and military V-shaped insignia.

Common questions

What is Chevron made of?: Chevron is a pattern of continuous, unbroken V shapes formed by stripes meeting at a point. It is traditionally made of wool or cotton.
Where does Chevron come from?: Chevron comes from France, first documented in c. 1800s.
What is Chevron named after?: From the French chevron, a rafter, by way of the heraldic and military V-shaped insignia.