A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abrell family of Wales.
Reg. 2307 · Welsh, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. three bears pass. or”
Walesc. 1647
Where the Abrell Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Abrell arms are recorded
The Abrell 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 Abrell 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 Abrell Family in Wales
The family name Abrell has roots that stretch back to the mid-seventeenth century in the historic town of Denbigh, located in North Wales. Records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this area by 1647. During this period, Denbigh was a bustling market town dominated by its medieval castle and stone walls, serving as a center for local trade and administration. Families living in the region at this time were often connected to the land or the specialized crafts required to support the local economy. While the name is relatively rare, its presence in early Welsh parish and legal documents suggests that the Abrell family was part of the stable population that helped shape the social and civic life of Denbigh during the turbulent years of the English Civil War.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ap Hywel
Patronymic meaning son of Hywel, derived from the Welsh name meaning eminent.
This name
AbrellA surname originating from the Welsh patronymic system indicating descent from a person named Hywel.
also spelled
Abrile
Abryll
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
