A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Able family of Wales.
Reg. 4753 · Welsh, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. two bars ar. in chief as many plates”
Walesc. 1647
Where the Able Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Able arms are recorded
The Able arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Able arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Wales.
Origin & History of the Able Family in Wales
The surname Able is rooted in the medieval period and likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person who was considered capable, skillful, or physically strong. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Denbigh, a historic market town in North Wales. Records confirm that members of the Able family were living in this area by 1647, a time when the region was recovering from the intense conflicts of the English Civil War. During this era, families in Denbigh were often deeply connected to the local agricultural economy and the trade networks flowing through the town’s ancient castle walls. The survival of these early records suggests that the Able family were settled residents who played a role in the local community life of Denbigh as it transitioned into the modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Habilis
Latin term meaning capable, skillful, or fit for a purpose.
This name
AbleRefers to a person who is capable, talented, or dexterous in their actions.
also spelled
Abell
Abel
Related arms
Abellvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
